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REVISBID E3DITI03M, 1863. 

HISTORY 



OF THE 



UNITED STATES OE AMERICA. 



DESIGNED FOR SCHOOLS. 



EXTENDING FROM THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA BY COLUM- 
BUS TO THE PRESENT TIME; WITH NUMEROUS MAPS 
AND ENGRAVINGS, TOGETHER WITH A NOTICE 
OF AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES, AND THE 
INDIAN TRIBES. 



' Our history takes as its gmding star the simple and pregnant truth that GOD Ic$ IN 

HISTORY." 



BY EGBERT GUERNSEY, A.M. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

MOSS & CO., 430 MARKET STREET, 

CINCINNATI: APPLEGATE & CO. 

1863. 



Entered acccirding to the act of CoiLiress, in the year 1847, 

BY EGBERT GUERNSEY, A.M., 

In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States for :ae 
Southern District of New York. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by 

MOSS AND COMPANY, 

In the CIerk*s OflBce of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern 

District of Pennsylvania. 



:2 ^. IJi r 






PREFACE 



To commune wiih the great and mighty dead — to turn our thougnts 
backward along the path of time, and call from their silent graves 
the buried heroes of the past, and people with their living forms those 
old battle fields where freemen, under ihe protection of the God of Hea- 
ven, fought, not for a crown, but for liberty — is an employment both 
pleasing and instructive. 

All history is instructive, but that of our own country is peculiarly 
interesting. The actors in its earliest periods, and in its revolution- 
ary struggle, were meo of palriotisji, virtue, and religion. Rising 
above the selfish feelings of human nature, they planned and acted, not 
for themselves alone, but for their country, and the unborn millions 
who were yet to tread its soil. Believing in the overruling provi- 
lence of God, they were not ashamed to look to Him for direction, nor 
to lean on his arm for support. Convinced that no people could flou- 
rish without a proper training of the mind, they early turned their at- 
tention to schools and colleges, believing them to be the nurseries ot 
freedom. 

The study of American history not only unites us more closely, and 
with stronger love to our free institutions, but it ennobles the mind by 
tne lessons of virtue and patriotism which are given in the teachings 
and examples of our fathers. The whole course of the American Revo- 
lution shows but one traitor. The infamy which is forever attached 
to the name, of Arnold, is a suflicient warning to youth not to follow 
in his footsteps. 

There are a few points, u hich I think have been neglected, or too 
lightly passed over, in all the histories of our country with which 1 am 
acquainted. One of these is, a particular notice of the direct interpo- 
sition of Providence, so often displayed in our history. 

This fault I have endeavored to shun. While it has been my object 



VI PREFACE. 

to present a correct historical chain of events, in a style pleasing to iftf 
young, I have also endeavored to impress on them the important fact, 
that their fathers were working out the great designs of God, and were 
aided by him in their glorious consummation. 

As undoubted remains of a civilized people, inhabiting America be- 
fore the Indians, are scattered over the country, I have thought proper 
to devote an introductory chapter describing their appearance, locality, 
and the various opinions respecting them. 

In another chapter is given an epitome of the different Indian fami- 
lies, with a notice of their languages, manners, and customs. 

As this history has been compiled for educational purposes, I have 
endeavored to make the plan striking and simple, and to adapt my style 
to the minds and feelings of intelligent youth. 

In selecting my plan, three great epochs presented themselves as pro- 
per to be noticed particularly. The Jirst presenting a picture of our 
country from its discovery by Columbus, during its colonial history. 
A clear outline is here given ; but much matter of a dry and prolix 
character, usually introduced in school histories with little effect, has 
been omitted. A dislike to an entire book has sometimes been produced, 
by crowding into this epoch a collection of isolated facts, which the 
young mind has struggled in vain to connect. If we succeed in enlist- 
ing their feelings in the commencement, the grand events which follow 
will surely enchain them, and our point is gained. 

The second epoch presents the story of the Revolutionary War, fi m 
the Declaration of Independence, until the adoption of the Federal Con- 
stitution. I have endeavored faithfully to describe the most important 
of those thrilling events which cluster around this period. 

It is strange, that while in many school histories the colonial period 
is tediously minute, the long struggle of a whole people for liberty, with 
a mighty nation, is briefly recorded. 

In the third and last epoch, each administration is separately noticed, 
from the commencement of the Federal Government until the year 1861. 
A concise biographical sketch of each President is given, that our 
American youths may know, who were their rulers, and associate kind 
and noble thoughts of them, with the story of their public acts while in 
oflice. This has never been introduced in any of our school books, and, 
as a body, our children are strangel:y ignorant of the character of those 
great men. 

This is evidently a defect which should be remedied ; for American 
children, above others, should early be taught, in connection with the 
principles of a republican government, the fact, that most of these ven- 
erable and beloved men, were once children in humble life^ and that thev 



PREFACE. Vli 

under Providence, by their own exertions and their virtues, arose lo thi» 
Lighest station in the gift of their country. 

The eyes of the civilized world are on America. They are nar- 
rowly watching all her operations, and scanning her motives of action. 
From this land of freemen an influence pervades the globe. Much is 
expected from the American youth, and a deep responsibility rests on 
their guardians and instructors. 

Next to the Bible, no book is better adapted to teach lessons of impor- 
tance, both to the heart and intellect, than a faithful history of God's 
dealings with our countrymen. A strange indifference to the study 
of American history is manifested throughout our land; and it is 
time that a better state of things existed. It is surprising how many 
* schools of high standing entirely exclude it from their classes. Histo- 
ries of classic Greece and Rome are mastered, those of England and 
France are not forgotten, but American history is regarded as a simple 
elementary subject, unworthy the study of an advanced scholar. This 
is a fact beyond dispute. 

In relating the history of the Americans, our ancestors, I do not wish 
to throw into the shade the merits of any other nation. I would have 
all history faithfully studied and remembered. It is worthy the time 
and talent of every immortal mind. History is a harp whose strings 
are swept by the hand of Time. It tells us of the birth of creation — the 
uprising of empires — the passing away of mighty nations — it sounds in 
our ears the events which lie scattered along the path of life. Its notes 
tremble mournfully over the graves of greatness and virtue entombed. 
Its tones are ever varying, and will be heard until Time severs the 
strings, as they are sounding the requiem of the world, and historv is 
00 more ! 



NOTETOTEACHEKS. 

The questions on the margin are only intended as leading ones, to 
answer which, however, a knowledge of the whole subject is necessary. 
These questions can be altered and others suggested, at the pleasure of 
the leacher. Great pains have been taken to make the Chronology as 
correct as possible. To avoid confusion, all the dates have been given 
in ISew Style. This History is not only intended for a recitation book, 
but to be used in reading classes. The events forming a connected chain, 
a habit of attention will be elicited, and much historical knowledge 
gained. A plan similar to this, I have pursued in a long course of 
teaching, with decided advantage. 



CONTENTS. 



Pace 

A.merican Antiquities 13 — 46 

Indian History 45 — 68 

division of the Work 70 

PART I. 
CHAPTER I. 

EARLY DISCOVERIES. 

Dolumbus — Sebastian Cabot — Alonzo de Ojeda — Contereal — 
Cartier — Ponce de Leon — Ferdinand de Soto — Coligni — 
Gilbert — Sir Walter Raleigh — Bartholomew Gosnold— Capt. 
John Smith — London Company 70 — 84 

CHAPTER 11. 
COLONIAL HISTORY 

Virginia — Under the first charter — Under the second charter 
— Under the third charter — From the dissolution of the Lon- 
don Company until the French and Indian War 84 — ^99 

CHAPTER III. 

Massachusetts. — Massachusetts Bay Colony — King Philip's 
War — King George's and Clueen Anne's Wars 99 — 123 

CHAPTER IV. 
New Hampshire 123—123 

CHAPTER V. 
Connecticut 125—133 

CHAPTER VI. 

Rhode Island 133 — 135 

viii 



CONTENTS. ix 

Page 
CHAPTER VII. 
New York. — Dutch West India Company — Swedish Colony 

Grant to the Duke of York— Leisler and Milborne 135—149 

CHAPTER VIII. 

New Jerset , 149 — 152 

CHAPTER IX. 
Delaware , 152 

CHAPTER X. 
Pennsylvania 154 — 158 

CHAPTER XI. 
Maryland 158—162 

CHAPTER XII. 

North Carolina *. 162—166 

CHAPTER XIII. 

South Carolina 166—170 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Georgia 170—174 

CHAPTER XV. 

French and Indian War 174 — 191 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Causes of the Revolution 191 — 20d 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Revolutionary War — Campaign of 1775 208 — 224 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Campaign of 1776 224—235 



PART 11. 

CHAPTER I. 
Conclusion of Campaign of 1776 235—266 

CHAPTER 11. 
Campaign of 1777 266—302 

CHAPTER IIL 
Campaign of 1778 302—313 

CHAPTER IV. 
Campaign of 1779 313—324 



X CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER V. Page 

Campajgn of 1780 324^336 

CHAPTER VI. 
Campaign of 1781 336—350 



PART III 

CHAPTER I. 

Washington's Administration 350—358 

CHAPTER II. 

Adams' Administration 358 — 363 

CHAPTER III. 

Jefferson's Administration 362 — 36^ 

CHAPTERS IV., v., VI., VII. 

Madison's Administration — War with England — Campaigns 

of 1812, '13, '14 368—396 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Monroe's Administration 396 — 400 

CHAPTER IX. 

J. a. Adams' Administration 400—403 

CHAPTER X. 

Jackson's Administration 403 — 409 

CHAPTER XI. 

Van Buren's Administration 409 — 413 

CHAPTER XII. 

Harrison's Administration 413—416 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Tyler's Administration , 416 — 419 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Polk's Administration — War with Mexico. . . .* 41P — 447 



CONTENTS. XI 

CHAPTER XV. PAGE 

Taylor's Administration , 451 — 456 

CHAPTER XVL 
Fillmore's Administration — Death of Webster 456 — 459 

X:!HAPTER XVIL 
Pierce's Administration 460 — 467 

CHAPTER XVIIL 
Buchanan's Administration 468 



Reflections 495 

Constitution of the United States 497 

Chart of American History 503 



y^ 



fistorg of t\)t Jlnilca States. 



AMEEICAN ANTIQUITIES 



AND 



DISCOVERIES m THE WEST. 




HE leading incidents in the 
history of the old world have 
been recorded by the pen of 
faithful historians, either sa- 
cred or profane. The Bible, 
the only book that has moved 
along upon the great stream 
of time and not been ingulphed in its eddying 
whirlpools, has thrown upon the earlier nations 
the bright light of inspiration. It commenced a 
clear and historical chain of events, stretching 
from the birth-day of Creation to the deluge, and 
from the deluge to the destruction of Jerusalem by 
Titus. 

2. In looking at the old world, we have spread 
out before us a grand panorama of six thousand 
years. We can trace its events, witnessing the 
different nations, which have stepped upon the 
theatre of life and then passed away, while the 



What IS 
said of 
the lead 
ing inci- 
dents in 
the his- 
tory of 
the old 
world ? 

Of the 
Bible ? 



What ia 
said of 
the M 
world } 



14 ' AMERICAN ANTIGIU TIES. 

fing^er of time has written ruiu and desolation on 
the proud temples and monuments of art, which 
they vainly deemed to be eternal, and scattered 
dust in the halls and palaces of their kings. The 
events which cluster so thickly around each point 
in the career of these ancient nations, make theii 
history full of peculiar interest. 

3. As the antiquarian wanders among the broken 
columns and scattered fragments of their ruined 
cities, the very small portions of their history with 
which he is acquainted give double interest to the 
scene. He stands by the broken gates of Thebes, 
upon her shattered walls, and gazes upon the stu- 
pendous ruins of that now silent and pulseless 
city. The veil is lifted from the past, his mind 
glances back through the long, dim vista of buried 
centuries, and he hears the throbbings of her 
mighty heart, the thundering tramp of her men- 
at-arms, as they sweep with waving crests, and 
burnished arms, in battle array through her broad 
gates. He listens, as the rays of the sun stream 
over the hills, and hght up those shafts and 
domes. He hears strains of sweetest music, filling 
the air with its rich melody, pouring out from 
Memnon's temple, as if its tones were instinct with 
Ufe. 

4. There, by its base, stands the sightless, bald- 
headed Homer, striking the harp of poesy with so 
bold a hand, as to fill all Greece with music, and 
send its immortal strains onward through all time. 
He stands upon the site of ancient Troy, and there 
pass before his vision the armed hosts of Greece, 
Ajax, Agamemnon, and the god-Hke Achilles, bat- 



ANTiaUITIES FULL OP INTEREST. 16 

tling with Trojan Hector and Priam for the beau- 
tiful Helen. He enters the ruined cities of the 
Pharaohs, wanders through the three thousand 
chambers of her mighty pyramids, descends into 
the sepulchres of her dead, and drags out from their 
long rest of thousands of years, the bodies of the 
kings and great men of Egypt, who sat upon the 
tlirone, and moved in splendor in those days when 
Israel groaned beneath their heavy weight of bond- 
age, slaves to their oppressors. As he stands on 
the cast-up mounds of what was once Babylon, and 
looks around him upon the wide scene of desola- 
tion — tlie waters of the Euphrates rolling over a what of 
portion of the city — he sees the fulfilment of a quarian, 

tr ^ as he 

prophecy of God, pronounced thousands of years {^^^^J ^j^g 
before, when that nation was glorying in its strength SSbyion^i 
and power. " I will also make it a possession for 
the bittern, and pools of water ; and I will sweep 
it with the besom of destruction, saith the Lord of 
Hosts." 

5. Wander where he will through those ancient 
cities, and over the graves of those buried na- 
tions, scenes constantly start up before his eyes, 
made sacred by the pen of inspiration, the fulfil- 
ment of prophecy, the tongue of the orator, or the 
harp of poesy and song ; and every crumbling city, 
every hill and mountain, every stream of water has 
its own peculiar tale to tell. Hence, we have grown 
more familiar with those ancient nations than with thaf we 
the antiquities and earlier history of our own coun- goj^" 
try. Indeed, travelers seem never to have known, wuh'^^ 
or to have forgotten, in their enthusiastic researches anclfm 

f \ • ^1 11 111 nations 

and admiration of the ruins of the old world, that ^^^^,°^' 



16 AMERICAN ANTICIUITIES. 

What do there exists a vast continent, far beyond those lands 
seem To of poesy and sons: — beyond the broad bosom of 

have for- , ^, / . ..,.,, ^ 

fhei?Vd" ^^^^ Atlantic — containing hills and mountains, rivers 
SJ-^'the" ^nd lakes, far more stupendous and magnificent 
the"%fd than any thiner of which either Asia or Europe can 

world? , , , 1 . . 

boast : that here, on this western continent, we are 
living — are moving over the tombs of nations, as 
ancient, and as far advanced in civilization as 
the Roman, the Persian, Chaldean, or Egyptian — 
that we are surrounded by the ruins of cities and 
fortresses, which bear evident marks of having been 
constructed hundreds of years before the landing 
of Columbus upon our shores, and by a race of men 
CO temporary with the Egyptians and Romans. 
6. No country in the world presents so broad a 
SFoS*^ field for study as does our own : none so rich in an- 
2iu"ntry? cicut ruius, in mineral wealth, in internal resources, 
bold, majestic mountains, in vast inland seas, and 
in rivers, forming channels of communication witli 
the ocean, thousands of miles in every direction into 
the interior of the country. 
Y. North America stretches from north to south, 
tent?" t^^^^^^g^ ^ P^^^ ^f three zones, and covers an ex- 
tent of about 7,800,000 square miles. The middle 
portion comprises the United States, to the his- 
tory of which our attention will be more par- 
ticularly directed. It contains about 3,221,000 
square miles. The eastern shore is washed through- 
out the whole extent by the waves of the Atlantic, 
and its western resounds with the roar of the Pa* 
cific. 

8. It has Niagara thundering on its northern 
boundaries, connected with the great Lakes, whose 



RIVERS OF THE WEST. 17 

waters it pours into the river St. Lawrence, through ^^^, ^^ 
which great artery they are conveyed 1,900 miles to thiVea 
the ocean. From the western face of the Allegha- rivm?" 
nies, a range of mountains presenting some of the 
most subUme scenery in the world, the Ohio takes 
its rise, and flows for 1,250 miles, until it empties 
itself into the Mississippi, tlie great father of waters, 
whose source is found at the extreme northern 
frontier of the United States, and winds on its ser- 
pentine course through every variety of climate and 
soil, 2,600 miles, until it discharges its swollen and 
turbid waters into the Mediterranean of the West, 
the Gulf of Mexico. 

9. Far back, toward the setting sun, on the 
eastern side of the Rocky Mountains, formed by the 
trickling streams which flow down its channeled 
sides, the Missouri, another mighty river, takes its 
rise, and sweeps on through a country teeming with 
the most luxuriant vegetation, 2,500 miles, until it 
pours its dark volume into the Mississippi. These 
are some of the great streams which, like arteries, 
pervade every part of the country, causing it to bud 
and blossom like the rose, and teem with life and 
vegetation. On our northern shores lie vast inter- 
nal seas, many hundred miles in extent. 

10. What nation, or what country in the world, 
can boast of mountains, lakes, and rivers like our 
own ? But we are not to suppose that this country 
has remained quiet and undisturbed during the ter- 
rible commotions of nature which have shaken the 
eastern vrorld. The same great causes which 
plowed a channel for the Black Sea to the Medi- 
terranean, opened a passage through the Straits of 



18 ' AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 

Gibraltar for its waters to the ocean, overwhelmed 
with a flood of fire Pompeii and Herculaneum, 
hurled up from the bottom of the sea vast islands, and 
rolled its waves over others, have been at work here. 

11. The whole land, from north to south and 

What is Till 1 . 1 

Ihe °^ froi^ east to west, plainly shows the change which 
whkff has been produced by these great agents. Many 
pfoducid of the vales of our rivers were once the bottoms of 

in the 

country? immense lakes ; and now, where the tops of the 
tallest forests wave, or where the towering spires of 
many a Christian temple make glad with their 
sight the heart of civilized man ; and where are the 
smoking chimneys of his wide-spread habitations ; 
once sported (long, perhaps, before the advent of our 
Saviour) the monstrous lake-serpent and finny tribe, 
or birds of bright plumage passed along the horizon. 

12. We look to the soil, where grazes the peace- 
ful flock — to the fields, where wave a thousand har- 
vests — to the air above, where play the wings of 
the low-flighted swallow — and to the roads, where 
the passing wheels denote the course of men — and 
say, can this be so ? Yes ; where the waves once 
rolled is now fixed the foundation of many a state- 
ly mansion, the dwelling of man. Such the muta- 
tion of matter and the change of habitation. 

13. The principal ridges of the Alleghany, Blue 
Whit Ridge, (fcc, run in a transverse direction to most 
is'^^vi- of the great rivers, so that their mounds must have 
quehf n-' been broken through, to make a way to the sea from 
tomac^"' the bosom of the valleys. This is evident in the 
an?Dei- Potomac, Susquchaunah, Delaware, James rivers, 
rivers? and others, where they issue from the confines of 

the mountains to enter the lower country 



ANCIENT LAKES. 19 

14. The Potomac, three miles below the mouth ^^^t » 
of the Shenandoah, gives a striking example of this SSf %f 
fact. It here dashes and foams along upon its tomao? 
rocky bed, through what is evidently a breach in 

tlie Blue Ridge, about twelve hundred yards wide, 
and three hundred and fifty yards high. This 
chasm plainly displays traces of an ancient wall, 
composed of grey quartz, which once dammed up 
the river, forming immense lakes, that stretched 
far back over a great extent of territory. 

15. The valley of the Shenandoah and Conigo- ^^^t 
cheague must have been the basin of a single great Sabil 
lake, extending from Staunton to Chambersburg. a ^reat 
The upper branches of the James river would have gj,™^^ 
swelled it with their waters, and finding no obsta- doahind 
cle below, must have extended not only to the Sus- cheaguej 
quehannah and Schuylkill, but even to the Delaware. 
The outlets to these vast lakes must have been 
over the rocky walls of the mountain barriers, which 
have since broken : thus they would have formed 

falls of the most magnificent description, which had 
thundered in their descent from the time of Noah's 
flood till the rupture of the ridge took place, and 
the immense lake, drained of its waters, laid open 
a tract of rich soil to the genial warmth of the sun. 

16. There is every reason to suppose that the ^j^^^ 
Hudson was checked in its passage to the sea, by a have^^" 
chain of rocks stretchino^ across the present chan- nfaJe in 

° ^ the Hud- 

nel, at the Highlands, causing the waters to extend s^"' 
over a considerable surface of the country, in the 
form of a large lake. A strong argument favoring ^j^^^ 
this theory exists in the presence of alluvia, petri- t^oTs%i§ 
fied shells, (fee, found along the banks, in diflferent 



20 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 

parts of the valley of the Hudson, and in fact, in 
the valleys of most of our large rivers. 
What 17'. These ancient lakes, now drained by the 
"JppS breaking away of their mounds, explain very beau- 
{j^ve tifully the appearance observed in the valleys of 
lakes? g^i(^h rivers as are supposed to have been once 
lakes, as the Tennessee, the Kentucky, the Missis- 
sippi, the Kanhaway, and the Ohio. This appear- 
w'hatap- ance is the several stages or flats, observed on the 
in these bauks of tlicsc I'lvcrs, and most of the rivers of 



rivers 



by^'this"^ America, showing that subsequently the waters of 
theoryj ^j^^ livers wcrc higher, but as the mounds which 
dammed up their course became gradually broken 
away by the weight of the mass above them, the 
waters being thus drained off, new marks of em- 
what of bankment would be formed, far below the original 
of the ones, circumscribing, by a large distance, the chan- 
nel of the river. This is very perceptible on the 
Ohio, at Cincinnati, where the original bank is 
nearly 50 feet above the present level of the river. 
18. When we examine the arrangement of these 
J^rthL^^ fl^ts, we are furnished with indubitable evidence 
ff riv- that the place where the city of Cincinnati now 
stands was once, not only the seat of waters, but the 
primitive bed of the river, which appears to have 
had three different periods of decline, till it has sunk 
to its present bed or channel. The level of the 
second flat of the Ohio, which is the general surface 
of the country, is no more than 70 feet below Lake 
Erie ; consequently, a mound of two hundred feet at 
Silver Creek, six hundred miles down the Ohio 
from Pittsburg (where there is every reason to sup- 
pose that a cha^'u of hills stretched across the pre- 



ANCIENT LAKES. 21 

Bent bed of the river), would have been sufficient to 
keep back its waters, not only as far as Lake Erie, 
but even to spread them from the last slopes of the 
AUeghanies to the north of Lake Superior. 

18. The existence of ancient lakes explains why, what is 

* *^ ' farther 

in every part of the basin of the Ohio, the land is ^^omx^^i 
always leveled in horizontal beds of dijBTerent heights, of u?ese** 
and why we find in various places, remains of trees, lakes i 
of osier, and other plants. The vast amount of drift 
wood carried down by the various streams which 
discharged their water into the lakes, would be de- 
posited on the bottom near the shores, as the surface 
of these internal seas became lowered by the new 
outlets. 

19. The lower part of the Mississippi river gives what is 
us many evidences that the waters were once dam- JJ^ceT/' 
med up, forming above them a lake which filled up fafe^fn 

a large portion of its valley. The West India ley oftha 
islands are supposed by naturalists to have been^'p^^- 
the Atlantic coast of the continent; the breaking 
away of the mound confining the immense body 
of water, which once covered an almost boundless 
portion of the West, must, beyond doubt, have 
raised the Atlantic so as to submerge in its increase 
many a sunny spot along its coasts, leaving only the 
more elevated tracts above the surface of the water, 
in which we now see the numerous islands on our 
eastern shore and on the Gulf of Mexico. 

What 

20. Though the northern parts of North America SSvS^®' 
have been known to us but about two centuries, yet, dS?ed"bi 

' '' ' earth- 

during that time, no less than forty-five earth- jj^^kes 
quakes have occurred, many of them so severe as to ^**'^^' 
prostrate houses, dry up wells and streams of water. 



22 ^ AMERICAN ANTiaUlTIES. 

J^kfen- The shocks of these earthquakes extended north- 
voicSnic east, and south-west, particularly affecting the direc- 
Lake On- ^^^^ ^^ Lake Ontario, and were attended by a fetid 
*^"°' smell of sulphur. Volney supposes, from the singu- 
lar structure of this lake, that it was once the crater 
of a vast volcano. Another reason for this supposi- 
tion is the great depth of the lake, being generally 
upward of three hundred feet, and in many places 
the bottom cannot be found with a line of forty rods. 
Volcanic productions are found in vast quantities on 
its shores. Whether this idea of Volney is correct, 
or not, the northern part of this country, especially 
in the vicinity of Lake Ontario, bears strong marks 
of having been exposed to the action of those two 
powerful agents, fire and water, which are constantly 
producing such mighty changes in the universe of 
matter. 

21. We have now glanced briefly at the general 
face of the country, the changes which have been 
produced by the draining of the vast internal lakes, 
by the breaking away of their barriers, (fcc, and 
shall now touch upon those ancient ruins of cities, 
mounds, and fortifications, in which this country is 
so peculiarly rich. 

22. Foreign travelers complain that America pre- 
sents nothing like ruins within her boundaries ; no 
ivy-mantled towers, nor moss-covered turrets, as in 
other quarters of the earth. Old Fort Putnam, on 
the Hudson, rearing its lofty decayed sides high 
above West Point ; or the venerable remains of two 
wars at Ticonderoga, upon Lake CLamplain, they 
say, afford something of the kind. But what are 
mouldering castles, falling turrets or crumbling 



MOUNDS AND FORTIFICATIONS, 23 

abbeySj in comparison with those ancient and arti- 
ficial aboriginal hills which. have outlived genera- 
tions, and even all tradition — the workmanship of 
unknown hands ! Here are skeletons of strange 
forms, unknown to the Indians ; preserved bodies, 
fortifications, immense mounds and tumuli, which, 
from their number, obscurity of origin and magni- 
tude, are to be ranked among the wonders of ancient 
things. It remains for America to tell the story of 
her antiquities — to arouse her virtuosi and anti- 
quarians to the search; for here, beyond a doubt, 
are traits of nations coeval with ancient, and pro- 
bably with the oldest works of man, this side the 
flood. 

23. These mounds and fortifications are generally where 

&re thesA 

found on fertile bottoms, and near rivers. Several mounds, 

^ ' &c.. gen- 

hundreds have been discovered along the valley of foSlid? 

the Mississippi ; the largest of which stands not 

far from Wheelinsr, on the Ohio. This mound is 

^' . What of . 

fifty rods in circumference, and ninety feet in per- {J®^„j 
pendicular height. It is filled with thousands of wheei- 
human skeletons, and was probably situated near *"^' 
some great city, and was a general deposit of the 
dead for ages — where they were placed in grada- 
tion, one layer above another, till they reached the 
top. 

24. Judging from the large trees growing on the 
mound, amid old and decayed timber covered with 
mould and leaves, showing them to be of the second 
or third growth, it must have been at least twelve 
hundred years since it was deserted. 

25. In the lower part of Wisconsin are found 
mounds exceedingly curious in their form and struc- 



24 . AMERICAN ANTICIUITIES. 

ture. They consist of elevations of earth of diversi- 
fied outline and various size, for the most part con- 
sisting of effigies of beasts, birds, reptiles, and of the 
human form, but often circular, quadrangular, or 
oblong in shape. None of these works exceed fifteen 
feet in height. In Dade county, Wisconsin, the 
figures generally resemble the bear or bufialo, and 
vary in size from ninety to one hundred and twenty 
feet. In the midst of one group is a representation 
of a human figure, placed with its head toward the 
west, and having its arms and legs extended. Its 
length is one hundred and twenty-five feet, and it is 
one hundred and forty feet from the extremity of 
one arm to the other. The body is thirty feet in 
breadth, the head twenty-five feet in diameter, and 
its elevation, greater than that of the others, being 
about six feet. The human figure is not uncommon 
among the effigies, and is always characterized by 
the unnatural length of the arms. Half a mile west 
of this group stands a solitary mound, ninety feet 
long, representing an animal with its head toward 
the south-west. This class of mounds are scattered 
to a considerable extent throughout this portion of 
the country, and are generally found in groups in a 
fertile country, and near streams of water. They 
form a class unlike those in the southern part of the 
valley of the Mississippi, and in the vicinity of the 
Ohio and the Lakes, 
^niatof 26. At Marietta extensive fortifications are 
ficltiSri" found, consistinfij of walls and mounds of earth, 
etta? running m straight lines, from six to ten feet nigh, 
and nearly forty broad at their base. There is 



FORTIFICATIONS IN OHIO. 25 

alrio at this place a fort of this ancient description, 
which incloses nearly fifty acres of land. There 
are openings in this fortification, supposed to have 
been, when thronged with its own busy multitudes, 
used as gateways, with a passage from one of 
them, formed by two parallel walls of earth, lead- 
ing toward the river. This fort gives us some- 
thing of an idea, not only of the power of the 
builders, but the strength of their enemy. These ^^at 
fortifications correspond, in almost every respect, K we 
with the Roman forts and camps ; and it is highly posethat 
probable, as we shall hereafter show, that they were Sart 
constructed by that nation. ma^^. 

27. Any one, on looking at the account given by ^'"' 
Josephus of the forms of the Roman camps, in his 
Book 5, chap. 5, page 219, will be surprised at the 
striking similarity between the two ; a similarity 
which could not have been the result of chance. 

Dr. Morse says the forts of the Romans in Eng- 
land were universally square ; and those of the 
ancient Danes, Belgaj and Saxons, were distinguish- 
ed by being round. Here, too, are the parallel 
walls, the ditch, the elevated squares at its corners, 
the parapets and gateways, like those of the Romans. 

At the time that the Romans held Britain as a 
province, their character was a martial and a mai^- 
itime one^ They possessed a sufficient knowledge 
of navigation to traverse the ocean, by means of 
the stars and the sun. Their ships, as early as the 
year 55 before Christ, were large and heavy ; and 
it was equally in their power to have found Ame- 
rica by chance, as well as other nations — the Welsh 
or the Scandinavians, who made a settlement 

2 



26 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 

at the mouth of the St. Lawrence in tlie year 
1000. 
whatre- 28. In the month of December. 1827, a planter 

lies of an- ' ' * 

^^fj^^ discovered in a field, a short distance from Monte 
Ki?" Video, a sort of tomb-stone, upon which strange, 
and to him unknown characters were engraved. 
He caused this stone, which covered a small exca- 
vation formed with masonry, to be raised, in which 
he found two exceedingly ancient swords, a helmet, 
and shield, which had suffered much from rust ; 
also an earthen vessel of large capacity Greek 
words were easily made out upon them, which, 
when translated, read as follows : 

" During the dominion of Alexander the son of 
Philip, King of Macedon, in the sixty-third Olym- 
piad, Ptolemais " it was impossible to decypher 

the rest, on account of the ravages of time on the 
engraving of the stone. 

29. On the handle of one of the swords is the 
portrait of a man, supposed to be Alexander the 
Great. On the helmet there is sculptured work, 
that must have been executed with the most ex- 
quisite skill, representing Achilles dragging the 
Towhat corpse of Hector round the walls of Troy, a scene 
SkJJTare taken from Homer's Iliad. From the discovery of 
fhe?e these relics it is quite clear that the sou of Brazil 
teUcai j^g^g \yQQYi dug by some of the old Greeks, who lived 
near the time of Alexander. It is highly probable 
that some of the Grecian navigators, in their voy- 
ages of discovery, of which they made many, were 
driven upon the southern coast, and left behind 
them this monument to preserve the memory of 
their vovage to so distant a country. 



GREEK DISCOVERIEb. 27 

30. EratostheneSj a Greek philosopher, mathe- ^^ 
inatician and historian, who flourished two hundred Eralos*?^ 
years before Christ, mentions the name of Pytheas, ^^"""^^"^ 
who lived in the time of Alexander the Great, as 
being a Greek philosopher, geographer and astron- 
omer, as well as a voyager, if not an admiral, 

as he made several voyages into the Atlantic 
Ocean. There was a great liability of these adven- 
turers being driven off in a western direction, not 
only by the current which sets always toward 
America, but also by the trade-winds, which blow 
in the same direction for several months in the 
year. 

31. In 1821, on the bank of the river Desperes, what 
in Missouri, was found by an Indian a Roman havl 

' '' been di» 

coin, which was presented to Gov. Clark. A Per^ covered? 
sian coin was also discovered near a spring in the 
Ohio some feet under ground. 

The remains of former dwellings, hearths and what of 
fire-places, and bones of animals in immense quan- mlimot 

.. ^ ,1 ,, , rii-M* ancient 

titles, are found along the banks of the Ohio, many dweii- 
feet under ground ; while above these former habi- 
tations of men are found growing trees, as large 
as any in the surrounding forest. Surely, this car- 
ries us back into the dark past, and tells us a 
mournful tale of the overthrow of mighty nations, 
and the final extinction of their name from the 
earth. 

32. Lexington, in Kentucky, stands nearly on ^^^^ 
the site of an ancient town, of great extent and EiSJ 
magnificence, which is amply evinced by the wide fo?fnd 
range ot its works covering a great quantity of »n«^«' 
ground. 



28 ^ AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 

There is connected with the antiquities of this 

place a catacomb, formed in the bowels of the 

hmestone rock, about fifteen feet below the surface 

of the earth. This was discovered in 1775 . bj 

some of the first settlers, whose curiosity was ex 

cited by the sinsrular appearance of the stones 
What of , . , * , , ^ ^^ , _,, 

J;^^jaia- which covered the entrance to the cavern. They 

ed^hlre? removed the stones, when was laid open to their 
view the mouth of a cave, deep, gloomy, and terri- 
fic, as they supposed. Providing themselves with 
lights and companions, they descended and entered 
without obstruction a spacious apartment. The 
sides and extreme ends were formed into niches 
and compartments, and occupied by figures, repre- 
senting men. When their alarm had sufficiently 
subsided to permit them to pursue their investiga- 
tions, they found these figures to be mnmmieSy 
preserved, by the art of embalming, in as great a 
state of perfection as any that have been dug out 
of the tombs in Egypt, where they have remained 
more than three thousand years. Unfortunately 
for antiquity and science, this inestimable discov- 
ery was made by an ignorant class of people, at a 
period when a bloody and inveterate war was car- 
ried on between the Indians and whites. 

33. The whites, indignant at the many outrages 

came of committed by the Indians, wreaked their hatred 

!:he -^ ^ ^ 

^]^^; and revenge upon every thing connected with 
them. Supposing this to be a burying-place for 
their dead, they dragged them out to the open air, 
tore open their bandages, kicked the bodies into 
dust, and made a general bonfire of the most an- 
cient remains antiquity could boast. The descent 



CATACOMB NEAil LEXINGTON. 39 

to this cavern is gradual — the width four feet, tlie ^j^^^^ ^^ 
height seven, and the whole length of the catacomb lent of' 
was .found to be eighteen rods and a half, and the emt*"*' 
width six and a half; and calculating frora the 
niches and shelvings on the sides, it was capable of 
containing at least two thousand subjects. 

34. Here they had lain, perhaps, for thousands 
of years, embalmed and placed there by the same 
race of men with those who built the Pyramids of 
Egypt, and who excavated their tombs in the earth, 
or in the rocky mountain sides. What changes 
had passed over the world since they were deposit- 
ed there in their quiet resting-place by the hands 
of affection ! Over the ruins of their cities a new 
race flourished. Earth had grown old and hoary, 
and time had crumbled their monuments into 
dust. 

35. The conviction forces itself irresistibly upon ^j^^ ^^ 
our mind, that the people who made this cav- Jo^h^v© 
ern and filled it with the thousands of their em- fbrm*™* 
balmed dead were indeed from Egypt. If they cata-^^^ 
were not, whither shall we turn for a solution of 

this mystery ? The North American Indians were 
never known to form catacombs for their dead, or 
to be acquainted with the art of preservation by 
embalming. 

Catacombs are numerous all over Egypt — vast 
excavations, with niches in their sides for their em- 
balmed dead, exactly such as the one we have de- 
scribed. This custom is purely Egyptian, and was 
practised in the earliest age of their national ex- 
istence. 

36. A trait of national practice, so strong aid 



so AMERICAN ANTICtUiTlES. 

Why are P^Ip'^ble as is tliis peculiar art, should lead the mind 
we^tobe- ^^ ^ belief that wherever the thing is practised, we 
of^Eg^p^ have found in its authors either a colony from Effvpt, 

^an ori- . . . ^ . ^ 

«»«' or the descendants of some nation m Africa ac- 
quainted with the art. 

37. But if this be so, the question here arises, 
how came they to America, since the shortest dis- 

^r^at tance between America and Africa is about 1700 

IVylgea milcs ? This question is easily answered. The 
did tho . ^ . . . , , 

Egyp- ancient liigyptians were a maritime people ; and wo 

make? g,^^ ^]r^^^ ^g f^^. back as B. c. 1485 years, one Dana- 
us, with his fifty daughters, sailed into Greece and 
anchored at Rhodes. 881 years after the landing 
of this vessel at Rhodes, we find the Egyptians, un- 
der the direction of Necho, their king, fitting out 
some Phenicians with a fleet, with directions to sail 
from the Red Sea quite around the continent of Af- 
rica, and to return by the Mediterranean, which 
they effected ; thus performing a voyage of more 
than 16,000 miles — two-thirds of the distance 
around the earth. It is true they were without the 
use of the compass and magnet ; yet they wxre 
much better skilled in the knowledge of the heav- 
enly bodies than navigators at present. 

38. From the western coast of Africa there is a 
constant current of the sea setting toward Amer- 
ica : so that if a vessel were lost it would naturally 
reach at last the American coast. Egypt and the 
West India islands are both between 20 and 30 de- 

could giees north. Sailing from Egypt out of the Medi- 

^l^'y terranean, through the Straits of Gibraltar, would 

iiS*^riMt throw a vessel, in case of an easterly storm, aided 

by the current, as high north as opposite the Baha- 



iiNCIENT RUINS. 31 

ma islands. The trade-winds sweep westward 
across the Atlantic, through a space of 50 or 60 de- 
grees of longitude, carrying every thing within their 
current directly to the American coast. Kentucky 
is but five degrees north of Egypt ; so that a band 
of adventurers could easily have been driven near 
the eastern coast on the Gulf of Mexico, and there 
found in our majestic Mississippi something like 
the Nile. 

39. On the banks of the Muskingum, and at ^,^^^ 
Circleville, are the ruins of immense walls, forts, foind^'*' 
mounds and wells, built, many of them, of beauti- "fevnie? 
fully hewn stone, and according to the most scien- 
tific principles of architecture. At Paint Creek, in 
Ohio, are works of art more wonderful than any cJeckr 
yet described. They are six in number, and are in 

the immediate neighborhood of each other. In one 
of those grand inclosures are contained three forts : 
one embraces 17, another 27, a third 77, amount- 
ing in all to 121 acres of land. 

40. There are fourteen gateways leading out of 

the works, from one to six rods in width — at the ufem"''* 
outside of each of these gateways is an ancient 
well, from four to six rods in width at the top. 
Within the large inclosure is an eUiptical elevation 
25 feet in height, 100 feet in circumference, and fill- 
ed with human bones. The elevation is perfectly 
smooth and level on the top, and it may have been 
a place where the priests of their religion sacrificed 
human beings before the vast throng which con- 
gregated around tlie mound to witness the bloody 
rites. 

41. New discoveries are constantly being made 



What 
eviden- 
ces are 
adduced 



32 , AMERICAN ANTIdUlTIES. 

of these ancient ruins. These works are alike in 
their construction, and contain articles similar to 
those found in mounds in Europe, Asia and Af- 
rica. Some have supposed that all of the great 
works of the West which we have noticed belong 
to our present race of Indians ; but, from continual 
Ta?e^has wars with each other, they have driven themselves 
Buppofed from agricultural pursuits, and thinned their num- 
'reat '^^^^J until they have been reduced to sav ageism, 
bdong? Have our present race of Indians ever buried theii 
dead in mounds by thousands? Were they ac- 
quainted with the use of silver or copper ? These 
metals, most curiously wrought, have been found. 
Did our ancient Indians burn the bodies of distin- 
guished chiefs on funeral piles, and then raise a 
to^'tSr lofty tumulus over the urn containing their ashes ? 
Did the Indians erect any thing like the walled 
towns on Paint Creek ? Did they ever dig such 
wells as are found at Marietta, Portsmouth, and 
above all, such as those at Paint Creek ? Did 
they ever manufacture vessels from calcarious brec- 
cia, equal to any now made in Italy ? 

42. To this we respond, they never have : no, 
not even their traditions afford a glimpse of the ex- 
istence of such things as forts, tumuh, roads, wells, 
mounds, walls inclosing between one and two hun- 
dred — and even five hundred acres of land ; some 
of them of stone, others of earth, twenty feet in 
thickness and very high, are works requiring too 
much labor for Indians ever to have performed. 
The skeletons found in the mounds never belonged 
Describe to a people like our Indians. The latter are tall 
etoM. j^j^j lather slender, straight-limbed people ; bul 



WELSH COLONY. 33 

those found m the barrows and tumulij were rarely 
over five feet high ; their foreheads were low, their 
faces were very short and wide, their eyes large, 
and their chins very broad. 

43. Weapons of brass have been found in many 
parts of America ; as in the Canadas, Florida, &c., 
with curiously wrought stones ; all of which go to 
prove that this country was once peopled with civ- 
ilized and industrious nations. 

44. The celebrated Lord Monboddo, philosopher 
and metaphysician, spent some time on the study 

of the origin of languages, and was a firm believer ^^^^ 
in the account of America having been visited by opinion' 
a colony from Wales, long previous to the discovery Mon^mt 
of Columbus ; and says the fact is well recorded by specting 

' •' •'a Welch 

several Welsh historians, and cannot be contested. Am"-^*" 
There are many circumstances which render this "^^ 
probable. Of late years, accounts have been re- 
ceived of a nation inhabiting a region a great dis- 
tance up the Missouri, in manners and appearance 
resembling the other Indians, but speaking Welsh, 
and retaining some ceremonies of Christian wor- 
ship. Imlay, in his history of America, says this is 
universally believed to be a fact. 

45. On the head-waters of the Red river is 
a tribe calling themselves the McCedas tribe, 
whose manners, customs, and speech resemble feit^^a 
the Welsh. Pow^el, in his history of Wales, in Powei? 
the 12th century, speaks of a lost colony; and 
also of the voyage of Madoc, son of Owen Groyn- 
wedk, prince of Wales, who becoming dissatisfied 

at home, started on a voyage west, in quest of 
some new country, in which to settle. He found 



34 AMERICAN ANTICIUITIES. 

there a pleasant home ; and after a while returned 
to Wales and persuaded many of his countrymen 
to join him ; he put to sea again with ten ships, 
and there the Welsh historian stopj, for their story 
was never known at home. 
What of 46. Lord Monboddr says that America was vis- 
lianTot ited by Norwegians long before this lost colony left 
Amcri- Wales. They came from Greenland, which they 
discovered in the year 964. He endeavors to prove 
in his most curious and interesting book, that Ame- 
rica was peopled as soon after the flood as any 
other country as far from Ararat, and perhaps soon- 
er. He supposes the people of the old world to 
have had a knowledge of this country as early as 
the siege of Troy, about 1100 years b. c. 

A very plausible account of the discoveries of 
count of these northern islanders is ffiven by Snoro Sturle- 

the dis- ° ^ 

wvery of gon, in his chronicle of King Olaus. He says, one 

mentis Biom of Iceland, voyaging to Greenland in search 

Inoro ^ of his father, from whom he had been separated by 

•«»' a storm, was driven by tempestuous weather far 

to the south-west, until he came in sight of a low 

country covered with woods, with an island in its 

vicinity. His account of the country he had seen 

excited the enterprise of Leif, son of Eric Rauder, 

the first settler of Greenland. 

47. A vessel was fitted out, and Leif and Biorn 
departed together in quest of this unknown land. 
They found a rocky island, to which they gave the 
name of Helleland ; also a low, sandy country, to 
which they gave the name of Markland ; and two 
days afterward they observed a continuance of the 
coast, with an island to the north of it. This last 



DISCOVifiRIES OF THE NORTHMEN. 35 

they described as fertile, well wooded, producing 
agreeable fruits — and particularly the grape a fruit 
with which they were not acquainted ; but on being 
informed by one of their companions, a German, of its 
qualities and name, they called the country Vineland. 

48. They ascended a river well stored with fish, 
particularly salmon, and came to a lake from which 
the river took its origin, where they passed the 
winter. It is very probable that this river was the 
St. Lawrence, and the lake, Ontario. It is said by 
the same writer that the relatives of Leif made sev- 
eral voyages to Vineland ; that they traded with 
the natives for peltry and furs; and that in 1121, 
a bishop, named Eric, went from Greenland to Vine- 
land to convert the inhabitants to Christianity. 

49. There is every appearance that the tribe (^f^^j^^^y 
which still exists in the interior of Newfoundland, {Hb^of 
and who are so different from the other savages of fo?md- 

land sup* 

North America, both in appearance and mode of gf ^^^1** 
living, are descendants of the ancient Normans, *'^^"'^®'*^ 
Scandinavians or Danes. 

50. In the year 1354 a fishing squadron was 
driven about the sea by a mighty tempest, for many 
da^/s, until a boat, containing seven persons, was 
cast upon an island, called Estotiland, about one 
thousand miles from Friesland. They were taken 
to a populous city, the inhabitants of which were 
mtelligent and acquainted with the mechanical arts 
of Europe. They cultivated grain, made beer, and 
lived in stone houses. In the king's library were 
Latin manuscript books. They had many towns 
and castles, and carried on a trade with Greenland 
for piCch, sulphur, and peltry. 



36 , AMERICAN ANTiaUITIES. 

51. Finding the Frieslanders acquainted with 
the compass (which they had never seen), they 
held them in great esteem, and the king sent them 
with twelve barks to visit a country farther south, 
where they found in their travels a civilized region 
where the people had a knowledge of gold and sil 
ver, lived in cities, and sacrificed human victims in 
their splendid temples. 

A distinguished writer of Copenhagen possesses 
ancient genuine documents, showing that America 
was discovered soon after Greenland, and that it 
was again visited in the 11th, 12th, and 13th cen- 
turies. 

52. The remains of stone houses, walls and for- 
ma/ we tifications, iron tools, and various mechanical in- 
these re- strumeuts, w^hlch are found in different parts of the 

fi-ams to . . 

tfurop^e- country, compare with those in Europe about the 
9th, 10th, 11th and 12th centuries ; from which we 
conclude them to be wholly of European origin. 

53. In Onondaga county, N. Y., is the site of an 



an oii- 
icin? 



eviden-^ aucieut buryiug-grouud, on w^hich timber of the 

eettle- 
nient are 
there in 



second growth was growing — judging from the old 
ononda- timbci* rcduccd to mould lying round — which was 
a hundred years old, as ascertained by counting the 
concentric grains. In one of the graves was found 
a glass bottle, and an iron hatchet edged with steel. 
The eye, or place for the helve, was round, and 
projected like the ancient German axe. In the 
same town were found the remains of a black- 
smith's forge, and crucibles, such as mineralogists 
use in refining metals. 

54. In Scipio, a Mr. Halsted has from time to 
time ploughed up on his farm, seven or eight hun- 



ANCIENT RELICS. 37 



What 



dred pounds of brass, Avhich appeared to have been 
formed into various implements of husbandry and eviden- 
war. On this field forest timber was growing sdpio"of 
abundantly, which had attained a great age and size, menu 
Mr. Halsted found also sufficient wrought iron to 
shoe his horses for many years. We cannot resist 
the conclusion that on this farm was situated a 
European village of Danes or Welsh, who w^ere ex- 
terminated by war hundreds of years before Colum- 
bus was born. 

55. On the Black river, a man in digging a well At what 

' toto o other 

found a quantity of China and delf ware, at the Ka^'ve^i. 
depth of several feet. In Tompkins county, Mr. Ibund?^" 
Lee discovered on his farm the entire works of a what are 

they? 

wagon reduced to rust. On the flats of the Genesee 
river, on the land of Mr. Liberty Judd, was found a 
bit of silver, about the length of a man's finger, 
hammered to a point at one end, while the other 
was smooth and square, on which was er^raved 
in Arabic figures, the year of our Lord 600. 

56. The traits of a Scandinavian, Welsh and what ia 

' the re- 

Danish population are clear- and we agree with the {f^^*^ ^, 

remark of Professor Beck, that they certainly form Eeck 

a class of antiquities, entirely distinct from theingtheae 

* ' "^ antiQiu- 

walled towns, barrows or mounds. ^i^? 

57. Did our limits allow, we could go still more 
minutely into the history and description of these 
ancient ruins, at which we have but just glanced. 
Yet we think we have described enough to show 
that this so called " New World'^ is as rich in ruins 
as Asia or Africa : that here, long before the discov- 
ery of Columbus, have lived and flourished nations 
possessing a knowledge of the true God, and as far 



38 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 

advanced in civilization as those on the eastern con 
tinent. After having glanced at the first settle- 
ment of this country since the flood, and its separa- 
tion from the old world, we shall biing this highl) 
interesting section to a close. 

58. It may be reasonably supposed, that, foi 
What i5ome leiiffth of time after the ffreat delude and the 

may we ^ i 

reiS portioning out of the world by Noah to his three 

Sfec? sons, there might have been a direct communica- 

SiSdoli tion by land between every part of the earth ; but 

earth^*^^ by earthquakes and convulsions of nature, the uniting 

defuge^® links between the two great continents have been 

broken away and overflown by water, while in 

other parts of the earth the same convulsions have 

thrown up land above the surface of the water. 

this^nof This supposition is not at all improbable, for we are 

improba- *^ . . i t 

^le) constantly witnessing the disappearance of large 

tracts of country, the extension of the dry land far 

into the sea, and the appearance of large islands. 

Recite ^^- T^he 25th verse of the 10th chapter of Gene- 

le?sf ?f sis would rather favor the idea of the union of con- 

of.Gen- tinents, for it says, " In the days of Peleg thf. 

earth ivas dividedJ^ This passage is supposed by 

do ^me i^9.ny eminent commentators to refer to a separa- 

Bippose tion of the two great continents by the breaking up 

refer? ^ and overthrow of the land intervening. 

The birth of Peleg was about 100 years after the 
what^^ flood, the very time when Babel was being built. 
SfBuffon 60. BuflTon and other naturalists believed that 
Stu'^rS-^' America and China were united on the west, and 

ists re* 

Bpecting Europe and America on the east. It was contend- 



JJstern® ^^ ^y -the learned Clavigero that the equatorial 
nenu paits of Africa and America were cmce united 



ISLAND OF ATLANTIS. 39 

Whether this be true or not, the two countries ap^ 
proach each other in a remarkable manner, along 
the coast of Guinea on the side of Africa, and the 
coast of Pernambuco on the side of South America. 

61. Among the early Egyptian priests was pre- 
served an account of the existence and final destruc 
tion of a large island, situated in the Western Ocean, 
called Atlantis, This island is mentioned by Pla- 
to, who wrote about 500 b. c, in his dialogue, enti- 
tled " TimeausJ^ 

62. Solon, the Athenian lawgiver, is supposed to 
have traveled into Egypt, about 600 years b. c. He 
arrived at an ancient temple on the Delta, a fertile 
island formed by the Nile, where he held a conver- 
sation with certain learned priests respecting the 
antiquities of remote ages. 

63. " This island, Atlantis." said the Egyptian ^hat 
priest, " was situated in the Western Ocean, opposite remlrST 
the straits of Hercules," which would place it exact- t'an 

' ^ priests 

ly between a part of Europe and America. " There [ng^^he 
was," said the priest, "an easy passage from this A&nu/ 
to other islands which lay adjacent to a large con- 
tinent^ exceeding in size all Europe and Asia. 
The Atlantians made irruptions into Europe and 
Africa, subduing all Lybia, as far as Egypt, Eu- 
rope and Asia Minor. They were resisted, howev- 
er, by the Athenians, and driven back to their At- 
lantic territories." The Athenians settled at 
Athens, in Greece, 1556 b. c. One hundred years 
after their establishment at Athens, they had be- 
come a powerful nation : so that the time the At- 
lantians were repulsed must have been about the 
year 1443 b. c. 



40 AMERICAN ANTiaUITIES 

64. " Shortly after thisj" says Plato. Uhere wats 
^Jount ^ tremendous earthquake, and an overflowing of 
by Plato? the sea, which continued a day and a night; in 
the course of which the vast island of Atlantis, 
and all its splendid cities and warlike nations, were 
swallowed up, and sunk to the bottom of the sea 
which spreading its waters over the chasm, added 
a vast region to the Atlantic Ocean. For a long 
time, however, the sea was not navigable, on ac- 
. count of rocks and shoals of mud and slime, and 

at- ' 



What 



lusion is 

mad 

this 



made to ^^c fuins of that drowned country." 



island by 65. Au allusiou to this same island, Atlantis, 
is made by Euclid, who flourished about 300 years 
B. c, in a conversation which he had with Ana- 
charsis, a Scythian philosopher, who had, in search 
of knowledge, traveled from the far distant north 
to Athens, where he became acquainted with 
Euclid. They conversed on the various convul- 
sions of the globe; and among other changes 
Euclid spoke of an island, as large as Africa, which 
existed beyond the shores of Europe, which, with 
all its wretched inhabitants, was swallowed up by 
an earthquake. Here, then, is another witness, be- 
sides Solon, who lived 300 years before the time of 
Euclid, who testifies to the past existence of the 
island Atlantis. These allusions to the vast 
island, and the nohle continent beyond it, are ex- 
ceedingly curious, and not Avithout some foundation 
of probability. 
?omJ"of 66. There are many undoubted evidences of an 
iienccloT antediluvian population in America, in a class of 
;^a»pop- antiquities, distinguished entirely from those which 
rica?"^ we have described in the mounds, fortifications, (fcc. 



ANTEDILUVIAN REMAINS. 41 

These most rare and truly venerable relics of a 
world before the flood, present themselves in dig- 
ging far below the surface of the ground. They 
occur in the forms of fire-brands, sj?lit'Wood, ashes, 
coal, tools, and utensils of various kinds, brass rings, 
&c. Immense vessels of pottery of curious work- 
manship and remarkable size, have been discovered 
eighty and ninety feet below the surface. 

67. On the Susquehannali river, a piece of pot- 
tery was found, twelve feet across the top, making 
a circumference of thirty-six feet, and of propor- 
tionable depth and form. No ray of light dawns 
upon this strange remnant of by-gone days, to tell 
us its use. 

In digging a well near Cincinnati, in 1826, the what 
stump of a tree was found in a sound state, eighty ^^:^\\'' 
feet below the surface. The blows of the axe were J,^^^^^' 
still visible, and the remains of the tree were firmly "*^' 
rooted in its original position, several feet below the 
bed of the Ohio. Another stump was discovered 
near this place, ninety-four feet below the surface, 
and on its top it appeared as if some iron tool had 
been consumed by rust. 

68. In the section about Fredonia, on the south , ,^ 
side of liake Erie, utensils of various kinds have J^^^^ 
been found, split-wood and ashes, from thirty to SoSia^* 
fifty feet below the surface, which is much below 

the bed of Lake Erie. 

Near Williamsburg, in Virginia, about sixt^ ^vhat 
miles from the sea, the whole vertebrae of a whale Sims- ^ 

. burg? 

and several fragments of the ribs, &c., were found 
imbedded some feet below the surface. In the 
same region, at depths of from sixty to ninety feet, 



42 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 

have been discovered the teeth of sharks. From 
these and various other curious discoveries, from 
fifty to one hundred feet below the surface, we are 
led to conclude that the original surface of America 
was not much disturbed, but was rather suddenly 
overwhelmed from the west. The vast strata of 
loam, sand, clay, gravel and stone, which lie over 
each other, evince, from the unnatural manner of 
their positions, that they were thrown furiously by 
water over the continent, from the countries of the 
west. 

But if any doubt exists, discoveries like these, at 
this vast depth, and scattered over so wide a region of 
country, cannot belong to any age, or to any of the 
works of man this side the deluge, as time enough 
has not elapsed since that catastrophe to allow the 
decomposition of vegetables, nor of convulsions to 
have buried these articles so deep below the surface. 
But, if any doubt that these remains are antedilu- 
vian, none can be entertained respecting the skele- 
tons of mammoths, and birds whose quills were 
large enough to admit a man's arm into the cali- 
bre, and the claws measuring three feet in length. 

70. The remains of a monster were discovered in 

Describe 

etof ' Louisiana, seventeen feet under ground, the largest 
maf"^' bone of which weighed twelve xiundred pounds, was 
inxou- twenty feet long, and was thought to be the shoul- 
der-blade or jaw-bone. This immense animal is 
supposed to have been 125 feet in length. Such 
an animal would indeed be, as it is said in Job, of 
the Behemoth, " The chief of the ways of God " in 
the creation. 

71. How dreary — how horrible are our emotions. 



isiana. 



THOUGHTS ON THE PAST. - 43 

when we reflect on the immensity of the destriic 
tion of Hving beings in the Deluge. An inexpres- 
sible feeling of awe comes over the gayest spirit in 
meditating on these subhme scenes ; but the emo- 
tion is heightened when we think that we are liv- 
ing — we are moving over the crushed and mingled 
remains of antediluvians. 

" All that tread 
The globe are but a handful to the tribes 
That slumber in its bosom." 

72. We, now, are upon the busy stage of life* 
Around us are many proud works of art, re*ed by 
men of the present day. In our full career of pro- 
gress and of happiness, we can and do rejoice in 
the beauty which this woild puts on. The mind 
wanders without an effort in the contemplation of 
present things; but when thoughts of by-gone 
days come over us, sadness comes too ; and the 
mind seems to shrink from a contact with the gay 
and busy world about us. 

73. The memory of other days has ever been 
mournful to the soul ; and this sympathy pervades 
all ages. Speak to childhood of the buried world 
and its mysteries, and the heart-bubbling laugh is 
stilled, and childish hopes forgotten. The hopes 
and aspirations of manhood are for a time relin- 
quished in the overwhelming contemplation. The 
maiden's cheek is blanched as her woman's heart 
prompts thoughts of life, and its never-ceasing 
changes. The aged man, with the accumulated 
wisdom of years, bows his head as he thinks of 
those by-gone days ; and feels by every Aveakened 
nerve, that he, too, in turn, must go down to hin 



44 • AMERICAN ANTiaUITIES. 

resting-place in earth's bosom, and sleep with ^^ pa 
triarchs of the infant world." 

Here, too, young reader, thou shalt rest. The 
silver cord will be one day loosed, and the goJdin 
bo wl broken. 

" So live, that, when thy summons comes to join 
The innumerable caravan, that moves 
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take 
His chamber in the silent halls of death ; 
Thou go not like the quarry slave, at night 
Scourged to his dungeon ; but, sustain^ and sooth'd 
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave 
Uke one that draws the drapery of his couch 
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreanw.** 





d!) 



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lEric^-\ 



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't'c'/cai 






cl 





35 









MOJB 



ifvcilEfA 



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30 




ifriskhofje-fi ^ 










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30 




'^'^cCEASTOFTHE^:) ^' 

MISSISSIPPI 

15' To 



/V 7^' 



^istorg of tl)c Winxkh 0tatC0. 



A GENERAL OUTLINE OF 



THE INDIAN TEIBES 



EAST OP THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, 



WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THEIR LANGUAGES, 
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 




HE history of the earliest clv- 
ihzed inhabitants of America 
is shrouded in the mystery of 
past ages. Little record is 
left to us of them, save what 
is written in the mouldering 
dust of their wondrous works 
of art. The toiling, warring laborers of the mounds 
and forts have passed so far away that even their 
memory is forgotten, and the thick gloom of by- 
gone centuries rests on their origin. It may be 
for years, and it may be forever, before the dark- 
ness can at all be dissipated. 

2. Not so mysterious is the story of the red man. 
When our shores were again discovered by Euro- 
peans, the fleet-footed Indian roamed over this 
almost boundless land, a free man. He stood on 



What ifl 
said of 
the his- 
tory of 
the earli- 
est civil- 
ized in- 
habit- 
anta of 
Ameri- 
ca? 



What ol 
the red 
man at 
the dia 
covery 
ofAmeri 
ca by Eu 
ropeans 



46 INDIAN HISTORY. 

the ground which was all his own, monarch of un 
discovered realms. Here for hundreds of winters 
his ancestors had dwelt, regardless of the whole 
world except the red man. And when Europeans 
landed on their coasts, they looked with wonder 
and amazement on beings fashioned in human 
form, and still so different in appearance. 
Describe ^* ^^^ whitcs lookcd witli cqual wonder at the 
pewancc painted and tattooed chiefs, adorned with many- 
indians. colorcd skius and plumes, with the wing of the red 
bird and the beak and plumage of the raven, with 
a collar of the claws of the grisly bear ; their pipes 
glittering with ornaments and adorned with an 
enemy's scalp. There, too, was the bold Indian 
girl, wuth graceful bearing and lustrous eyes, in 
glittering dress of painted moose and deer skins, 
ornamented with shining shells and the brightest 
feathers of the turkey. 

4. The Indians earliest known to Europeans 
nlid^ot' were those of Virginia. When the first effectual 
dians"" settlement of that colony was made, in 1607, the 

near the , r r^ r\r\r\ 

toS"*? surroundmg territory for 8,000 square miles Avas 
occupied by upward of 30 different tribes, forming 
one confederacy, of ^thich Powhattan was the 
sachem or werowance. 

5. The first aspect of the original inhabitants of 
^.^^^ '> the United States was uniform. The Indians of 

said of 

Xhysi" Florida and Canada had a common physiognomy, 
ognorny? ^^^ ^ difference was scarcely perceptible in their 
manners and institutions, as well as their organi- 
zation. Before their languages began to be known, 
there was no safe method of grouping the nations 
into ^milies ; but when the great variety of dialects 



INDIAN DIALECTS, 47 

came to be compared, there were found to be not how 
more than eight radically distinct languages east diliSnct 
of the Mississippi. Five of tliese still constitute the l}\lf^ 
speech of powerful communities ; but the other ^pp^^ 
three are nearly lost with the disappearance of the what ia 
tribes from the earth. ofthlm 

now? 

1. 6. The primitive language which was most 
widely diffused, and the most numerous in dialects, 
received from the French the name of Algonqin, Zid\f' 
It was the native language of those who greeted lonqtln 
the colonists of Raleio^h at Roanoke : and its stranofe and fem- 
tones welcomed the Pilgrims to Plymouth. It was 
spoken — though not exclusively — in a territory that 
extended through 60° of longitude, and more than 
20® of latitude ; so numerous and widely extended 
were the tribes of the Algonquin family. They 
were scattered over a moiety, or perhaps more than 
a moiety, of the territory east of the Mississippi, and 
south of the St. Lawrence, and constituted about 
half the original population of that territory. Here 
were the Micmacs, holding possession of Nova Sco- whatoi 
tia and the adjacent isles, and who were only Saw/^'" 
known to our fathers as the active allies of the 
French. They often invaded, but never inhabited 
New England. 

7. The Sokokis appear to have dwelt on the Sa- 
00, and had formed an alliance with the Mohawks , g|.so- 
but finally placed themselves under the protection 
of the French in Canada. 

The Indian often emigrated, so that the clans ^y^^i .^ 
that disappeared from their ancient hunting-grounds of"^t1ie 
did not always become extinct. They shunned the f^^\^! 
vicinity of civilization, and often migrated far away. *"""' 



48 INDIAN HISTORY 

Among the tribes of Texas there are warriors whc 
trace their hneage to the Algonquins, on the At- 
lantic ; and many a proud descendant of the Ne\v 
England tribes now roams over the western prairies. 
8. The tribe of the Massachusetts, even before 
the colonization of the country, had almost disap- 
peared from the shores of the Massachusetts bay. 
Where The Pokauokcts dwelt around Mount Hope, and 
p^kano- were sovereigns over Nantucket, Martha's Vine- 
TheNar- Y^^'^7 ^^^ ^ portiou of Cape Cod. The Narragan- 
BBtST setts held dominion over Rhode Island and its 
vicinity, and a part of Long Island, and were the 
most civilized of the northern nations. 
The Pe- 9« The Pequods occupied the eastern part of 
Connecticut, and ruled a part of Long Island. 
Their blood was the first shed in the deadly strug- 
gles between the whites and Indians. They fought 
long and bravely, but were not victorious. 

Where now is seen New York, the proud metrop- 
tons?^^' olis of the West, the bold Manhattans roamed, hap- 
py and secure in their old forests. 

10. The Mohawks first greeted Hudson, as he 

The Mo- 11. I'll 1 • r 

hawks? explored the noble river which bears his name, lor 
their dwelling-place was on its western bank. The 
rude Mohawk worshiped the Great Spirit at sun- 
set, surrounded by every thing that was beautiful 
in nature. 
Into 11- Farther south were the Lenni Lenape, di- 

tlii^s vided into the Minsi and the Delaw^ares. occupvinsf 

were the ' j. ^ o 

Lenni Ncw Jerscv aud the valleys of tlie Delaware and 

Lenape ►^ ♦' 

andwhit Schuylkill. The Delawares had been dispossessed 
ihem?° by the Five Nations, stripped of their rights as war- 
riors, and confined to raising corn, fishing and 



THE SHAWNEES. 49 

hunting, for subsistence. In this way, the Indians 
reduced their enemies to the state of women, ac- 1^^\q 
cording to their language. Beyond the Delaware KlidlS 
were the Nanticokes, who melted imperceptibly Aigon^ 
into other tribes. Cape Fear was the southern ^^^^^y^ 
hmit of the Algonquin speech. 

12. The Shawnees connect the south-eastern 
Algonquins with the west. The basin of the sai/ J? 
Cumberland river is marked by Kircheval as the ^^g^^^" 
home of this restless nation of wanderers. For 
many years, they wandered undisturbed from the 
Cumberland river to the Alabama, from the Santee 

to the Susquehannah. 

13. The Miamis were more quiet in their wishes, how did 
and we can ffo to their own orators for their tradi- mis dlt' 

... fer flora 

tions. " My forefather," said the Miami orator, ^^^^^^ 
Little Turtle, at Greenville, " kindled the first fire """^^^ 
at Detroit ; from thence he extended his lines to 
the head-waters of the Sciota ; from thence to its 
mouth ; from tlience down the Ohio to the mouth 
of the Wabash ; and from thence to Chicago, on 
Lake Michigan. These are the boundaries within 
which the prints of my ancestors' houses are every- 
where to be seen." The early French narratives 
confirm his words. 

14. The Illinois were kindred to the Miamis. and where 

' was the 

their country lay between the Wabash, the Ohio, or"he 
and the Mississippi. 

15. In the early part of the 18th century, thewha^c** 

1 TIT- •/• 1- thePota- 

Potawatomies had crowded the Miamis from then* ^ato- 
mies f 

dwelhngs at Chicago; the intruders came from the 
islands near Green Bay, and were a branch of the 
Chippewas. That nation, or, as some write, the 



50 INDIAN HISTORY. 

Ojibwas, — the Algonquin tribes, of whose dialect, 
S^fe/the mythology, traditions, and customs we have the 
wa^oT fullest accounts, — held the country around Green 

Bay and Lake Superior. 
What of 1^- South-Avest of the Menomonies, the roaming 
I nil FoS Sacs and Foxes, tlie enemies of the French, wan- 
dered in pursuit of conquest over the whole country 
Mention bctweeu the Wisconsin and the Illinois. These 

the 

the^A?-^ were some of the different tribes speaking the Al- 

Siy" gonquin language. 

we^have II. 17. The ucxt coufederacv or family speak- 

noticed? , . j j i. 

ing a different language were the Sioux or Dahco- 
d^eft^ ^a^j encamped on the wide prairies east of the 
Sioux? Mississippi, wandering between the head-waters of 

Lake Superior and the Falls of St. Anthony. 

What is . . . 

said of Their wigwams were discovered by French traders 
Sioux? in 1659, and they were visited by Jesuit priests in 

1687, and again in 1689. Between the Dahcotas 
^^ jjjg and the Chippewas there long existed an hereditary 
WM^?"^*^" warfare. Like other southern and western tribes, 

their population appears of late to have very much 

increased. 

III. 18. Another of the eiffht distinct laiiffuaofes 

What is . . __ _ . ^ . . 11 , 

the'^Hu^- IS the Huron- Iroquois^ or, as it is sometimes called, 
Suo/sT ^he Wyandot. At the time of the discovery of 
America, they were powerful in numbers and scat- 
tered over a wide territory. The peninsula inclos- 
ed between Lakes Huron, Erie, and Ontario had 
been the dwelling-place of the five confederated 
tribes of the Hurons. 

19. They were defeated by the Five Nations, 
and a part of tlieir tribe descended the St. Law- 
rence, and som'* of their progeny may still be seen 



THE HURON-IROaUOIS. 51 

at (flluebec ; a part were adopted into the tribes of 
their victors. The Wyandots fled beyond Lake S w?.' 
Superior, having first halted on the shores of the ^""^"^^ 
noble Huron lake, and afterward near where De- 
troit is now situated. 

20. Thus the Wyandots within our borders are 
emigrants from Canada. By lormmg treaties with whom 
the Algonquin tribes, they spread along Lake Erie, ^^^p^^^ 
and gradually acquired a claim to the vast territory ^''®^'^®*' 
from the Miami to the western boundary of New 
York. 

21. The Iroquois or Mingoes, or, as they were ^ 
sometimes called, the Five Nations, were tribes JrSiums* 
bound together by a league or confederacy. The llef'^' 
French called them L'oquois — the English, the times 

^ ^ 7 called? 

Five Nations — and the Connecticut Indians, Mo- which 
hawks, from the most warlike tribe. Three of ^nfede- 
the original confederacy consisted of the elder tribes, ^|[|j 
called the Senecas, Onondagas, and Mohawks, and fflbe^s?^'^ 
two were called the younger tribes, viz., the Cayu- which 
gas and Oneidas. younger 

22. The number of their warriors, in 1660, is ^^ere 
said by the French to have been 2,200. They in- dwein'^ 
habited the region lying between the borders of 
Vermont and western New York, from the lakes to 

the head-waters of the Ohio, the Susquehannah, 
and the Delaware. Their geographical position 
made them umpires in the contest of the French 
for dominion in the West. They acquired a name what is 
amonff the boldest tribes by their conquests, and ^Vut^^l: 

, . 11. T . , . ,T the Iro- 

thus increased their political importance. J\iot<i"ois? 
only did they claim supremacy in northern New 
England between the Kennebec and the southern 



52 INDIAN HISTORY 

border of Connecticut, and styled themselves lords- 
over the conquered Lenape — they looked upon the^ 
peninsula of Upper Canada as their hunting field 
by right of war; they had exterminated the Eries 
and the Andastes — had triumphantly invaded the 
western tribes as far as Illinois ; their warriors had 
chanted their war-songs in Kentucky and western 
Virginia; and England, to whose alliance tliey in- 
clined, availed itself of their treaties for the cession 
of territories, to encroach even on the empire of 
France in America. 
?iKf- 23. The Tuscaroras migrated from North Caro- 
lllmd^ lina, and joined the confederacy. Hence they w<".re 
federacy, aftcrward known as the Six Nations. In 1708, 

and what ^ ' 

theml''^ the Tuscaroras were still powerful, and numbered 
1,200 warriors, as brave as their Mohawk brothers. 

IV. 24. The fourth nation with distinct lan- 
tjhe^^ ^ guage was the Catawbas, dwelling in Carolina. 
family. The Catawbas were hated by the warlike Iroquois 

with dis- ^ *^ 1 

PxallT' tribes, and for successive seasons they followed 
them until they dwindled away and became power- 
less. Their language is now almost extinct, and 
the war song is seldom chanted. The Catawbas 
will soon all be numbered with the departed, for 
scarce a hundred persons can now be found who 
speak the native language. 

V. 25. We next notice the wild, mountain-chmb- 
ing Cherokee. Every syllable of his language 

^^hatis ends with a vowel, and the combinations with con- 

paid of 

-okee^^' sonants are so few and simple, that the ^^ old be- 
'acgu'ge? iQyed speech," hke the Japanese, admits a syllabic 

alphabet, of which the signs need not exceed 85. 

Recently, Sequoah, an intelligent Cherokee, com- 



CHEROKEES. 53 



What 



pleted an analysis of the syllables of his language, 
and invented symbols to express them. But, before ^^s re- 
they were known to Europeans, no red man had beSn^ 
ever discriminated the sounds, which he uttered : the che- 

' ' rokee 

in all America there was no alphabet, and know- ^^ngugei 
ledge was only conveyed to the eye by rude sym- 
bols and imitations. 

26. The Cherokees dwelt chiefly on the head- where 
waters of the Savannah, Chattahoochee, and Ala- chero-^ 

kees 

bama rivers, and the branches of the Tennessee ^^eii? 
and Cumberland, a tract of about 24,000 square 
miles. Bancroft, in his graphic and beautiful lan- 
guage, speaks of this region as the most pic- 
turesque and salubrious east of the Mississippi. He ^^^^^^^ 
says the homes of the Cherokees were encircled by l?yofthi 
blue hills rising beyond hills, of which the lofty kee^s'^^' 
peaks would kindle with the early light, and the 
overshadowing ridges envelop the valleys like a 
mass of clouds. There the rocky cliffs, rising in 
naked grandeur, defy the lightning, and mock the 
loudest peals of the thunder storm ; there tlie 
gentler slopes are covered with magnolias and 
flowering forest trees, decorated with roving climb- 
ers, and ring with the perpetual note of the whip- 
poor-will ; there the wholesome water gushes pro- 
fusely from the earth in transparent springs ; 
snow-white cascades glitter on the hill-sides ; and 
the rivers, shallow, but pleasant to the eye, rush 
through the narrow vales, which the abundant 
strawberry crimsons, and coppices of rhododendron 
and flaming azalea adorn. 

27. At the fall of the leaf, the fruit of the hick- 
ory and the chestnut is thickly strewn on the 



54 INDIAN HISTORY. 

ground. The fertile soil teems with luxuriant 
herbage, on which the roebuck fattens ; the vivify- 
ing breeze is laden with fragrance ; and daybreak 
is ever welcomed by the shrill cries of the social 
night-hawk and the liquid carols of the mocking 
bird. Here, too, were running waters, inviting to 
the bath, tempting the angler, alluring wild fowl — 
for the Cherokee towns were always upon some of 
their much-loved rivers. 

28. The " beloved " people of the Cherokees were 
a nation by themselves. Who can say for liow 
many centuries, safe in their undiscovered fast- 
nesses, they had decked their war-chiefs with the fea- 
thers of the eagle's tail, and listened to the counsels 
of their aged warriors ? We must look to the 
white man for the sad story of the ruin of the 
Cherokees. In the history of the United States we 
find a mournful account of pleasant places laid 
waste, and the mingled bones of brave warriors, 
with their squaws and young maidens, bleaching 
together with those of the cunning and usurping 
white man's, all over their sunny vales. 

VI. 29. South-east of the Cherokees dwelt the 
Bai/of UcHEEs, boasting to have been the oldest inhabi- 
uchees? tants of that region. They now constitute an 

inconsiderable band in the Creek confederacy, and 
are known as a distinct family only by their singu- 
larly harsh and guttural language. 

VII. 30. The Natchez are also now united in 
tv^e Na"^ the same confederacy ; but they, with the Taensas, 
Chez? were known to history as a distinct nation near the 

banks of the Mississippi. It has been supposed by 
travelers, Dumont, Du Pratz, and others, that their 



( MOBILI.^ N FAMILY. 55 

language was a dialect of the Mobilian ; but by onheir 
the persevering curiosity of Gallatin, it is at last '"'^'^^®' 
known that then* language, as far as compari- 
sons have been instituted, has no etymological 
affinity with any other. 

VIII. 31. With the exception of the Uchees and ^v^hat of 
the Natchez, the whole country south-east, south, lent ^>f 
and west of the Cherokees, to the Atlantic and biilan **" 

familv' 

the Gulf of Mexico, to the Mississippi and the con- 
fluence of the Tennessee and the Ohio, was in the 
possession of one great family of nations, of which 
the language was named by the French the Mobi- 
lian, and is described by Gallatin as the Musk- 
HOGEE-CHOCTA. It included three lar^e confeder- "w-hat 

^ large 

acies (Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Creeks), still radef ®' 
existing, and perhaps, even with an increase of fhfsfam 
numbers. ^^^ 

32. The country bounded by the Ohio on the 
north, by the Mississippi on the west, on the east by 
a line from the bend in the Cumberland river to 
the Muscle Shoals of the Tennessee, and extending 
south into the territory of the State of Mississippi, 
was the land of the cheerful, brave Chickasaws, lonof Describe 

° the 

to be remembered as the invincible allies of the country 

of the 

Enghsh. Around their wigwams the grass was ver- ^'^^^^^ 
dant in midwinter ; the blue bird and robin are 
heard in February ; the springs of pure water gur- 
gle up through the white sands, to flow through 
natural bowers of evergreen and holly ; and if the 
earth be but carelessly opened to receive the ker- 
nel of maize, the thi:k corn springs abu^dantly 
from the fertile soil. The region is as happy 
as any beneath the sun; and the love which 



saws ? 



56 INDIAN HISTORY. 

il inspired made its occupants, though not numer- 
ous, yet the most intrepid warriors of the south. 
Of the ^^- ^^^ country of the Choctaws was below the 
Sfl?si ChickasawSj between the Tombigbee and Mississippi 
rivers, DweUing in plains or among gentle hills, 
they excelled every North American tribe in their 
said of agriculture, subsisting chiefly on corn, and placing 
SJ?s? ^^^^^^ dependence on the chase. Their warriors 
were over 4,000 in number, and their love for their 
sunny hills was so intense, that in defending their 
homes they utterly contemned all danger. 
What of 34. In Georgia, extending into Alabama, were 
Creeks? the Crccks or Muskhogees. They were divided 
into Upper and Lower Creeks, a part of which are 
called Seminoles, inhabiting Florida. The term 
Seminole means "wild man," and was applied to 
all the vagrants of the nation, who abandoned 
agriculture for the chase. This country abounded 
in beautiful creeks and bold rivers, descending 
with a clear current through a fertile region. They 
were careful in agriculture, and before going to 
war, assisted their women to plant 
What is 35. The Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Cherokees 
the . are all considerably advanced in civilization. In 
JfjJ^^g'. this respect, they evidently form an exception to the 
S Che- Indian race, who, generally speaking, flee from 

fokees in .... - . \ , . • i ^ i • 

point of Civilized society, and relinquish their possessions 

civiliza- ... 

tion? rather than their wild independence. The earliest 
European accounts of these people, which are con- 
tained in the history of the expedition of Ferdi- 
nand de Soto, show them to have been more civil- 
ized than any other tribes of the United States. 
The Cherokees have an impression, that they be- 



INDIAN LANGUAGES. 57 

ong to a superior stock ; and some of our ablest 
antiquarians suppose that they migrated from Ma- 
lacca, Southern Asia. 

36. Such is a synopsis of the American nations 
east of the Mississippi. Very great uncertainty 
must attend any estimate of the original number 

of Indians east of the Mississippi and south of the what » 
St. Lawrence and the lakes. The diminution of ol^oie 

1 • 1 • • /• 1 number 

their population is far less than is usually suppos- "[^ng"' 
ed; they have been exiled, but not exterminated, isung^^ 
The Cherokee and MobiUan family are more nu- 
merous now than ever. 

37. Terrible epidemics have raged among them, 
and thousands have fallen in war ; but amid their 
keenest sufferings, they disdain to manifest their 
agony by a cry or groan, and even in the death- 
struggle triumphantly sing their death-song. 

38. The study of the structure of the various ^^ ^ 
dialects of the red men sheds light on the inquiry Sy of 
into their condition. Languages do not /ie, say s oug T*" 
Home Tooke. They reveal what time has buried lects? 
in oblivion. 

A late German writer, Prof. Vater, has publish- ^^^^^ ^^ 
ed, at Leipzig, a book on the population of Ameri- Te^s ^** 
ca. He lays great stress upon the tongues spoken 
by the aborigines, and dwells considerably on the 
unity pervading the whole of them, from Chili 
to the remotest district of North America. The 
work has been continued by Adelung and Vater 
in their Mithridates^ w^hich surpasses all similar 
performances that have evei been achieved by man. 
They give an extensive comparison of all the 
Asiatic, African, and American languages. 

3* 



58 INDIAN HISTORr. 

What 13 ^^* ^^ American language bears marks of being 
ed^o?" an arbitrary aggregation of separate parts ; but 
Ameri each is possessed of an entire organization, having 
guage? unity of character, and controlled by exact rules. 
Each appears as a perfect whole, not as a slow for- 
mation, springing directly from the powers of man 
by painful processes of invention ; each dialect is 
not only free from confusion, but is almost abso- 
lutely free from irregularities, and is pervaded and 
governed by undeviating laws. Each American 
language was competent of itself, without improve- 
ment from scholars, to exemplify every rule of the 
logician, and give utterance to every passion. A 
tribe has no more been found without an organized 
language than without eyesight or memory. The 
savage had, indeed, never attempted the analysis 
of the primitive sounds ; but the analogies are so 
close, that they may all be expressed by the alpha 
bet of European use. 

40. The tribes vary in their capacity or their 

What IS , -^ . 

saui of custom of expressing sounds. Of the several dia- 

orthl lects of the Iroquois, that of the Oneidas is the 

kn"^**^ softest, beinof the only one that admits the letter 

I (L) ; that of the Senecas is the most rude and 

energetic. The Algonquin dialects, especially those 

of the Abenakis, heap up consonants with prodigal 

harshness ; the Iroquois abound in a concurrence 

of vowels. The Algonquins have no/; the whole 

Iroquois family never use the semi-vowel m^ and 

want the labials entirely. 

jjQ^ 41. Their style was adorned with noble meta- 

"^xyxe^^^^ phors, and glowed with allegory. They spoke of 

prosperity as a bright sun or a serene and cloudlesb 



INDIAN LANGUAGES. 59 

sky ; to establish peace is to bury the tomahawk 
or plant the forest tree ; to offer presents as conso- 
lation to mournerSj is to cover the grave of the 
departed. 

42. The ffreat peculiarity of the American 
speech is the absence of all logical analysis oi a great 

r o J peculia- 

ideasj and the synthetic character pervading- them 'iSSln^^ 
all. The American does not separate the compo- g^iTago 
nent parts of the proposition which he utters. His 
thoughts rush forth in a troop, for the picture is 
presented at once and altogether. This synthetic 
character is apparent in the attempt to express, in 
the simplest manner, the name of any thing. The 
Algonquin and the Iroquois could not sdij father ; 
they must use a more definite expression. The 
noun, adjective, and pronoun are blended into one 
word. 

The Indian never kneels ; so, when Eliot trans- 
lated KNEELING, the woi'd which he was com- 
pelled to form filled a line, and numbered eleven 
syllables. 

43. In investigating these and other languages, 

, . ^ „ ^, ^ ^ ' What of 

two momentous conclusions follow. The gram- the 

c5 gram- 

matical forms, which constitute the organization of Jbrmf^ 

a language, are not the work of civilization, but of consV- 

^ ^ ' ' tute the 



nature. It is not writers, nor arbitrary conven- organiza- 

' •^ tion of a 

tions, that give laws to language ; the forms of ^g^^sef 
grammar, the powers of combinations, the possi- 
bility of inversions, spring from within us, and are 
a consequence of our own organization. 

44. The study of these rudest dialects tends to prove.i 

•^ by the 

show, if it does not conclusively prove, that it was ^'^^'J^^ "^ 
not man who made language : but He who made Iq^xbi^^^' 



50 INDIAN HISTORY. 

man gave him utterance. From the ice-bound 
S^y^ regions of the Esquimaux in the north, to the 
!^rt;nf^' Straits of Magellan on the south, the primitive 
guages? American languages, entirely differing in their 
roots, have, with slight exceptions, a similar physi- 
ognomy, resembling each other in their internal 
mechanism. 
What CO- ^^' ^^ ^'^^ Esquimaux, there is an immense 
iTencere- Humbcr of forms derived from the regimen of pro- 
d?ffS nouns. The same is true of the Basque language, 
guages? ill Spain, and of the Congo, in Africa. Here is a 
most wonderful coincidence ; and as it pervades 
languages of different races, dwelling on different 
continents, it must be the result of law. 
What ^^' Ai^<^ther and more certain conclusion is this, 
conciu- that the ancestors of our tribes were rude like 
drawn tlieiTiselves — not yet disenthralled from nature. 

from the 

Indian**^ The cliaiacter of each Indian language being one 
dialects? ujiiversal, all-pervading synthesis, proves them to 
have been still in the earliest stage of intellectual 
culture. 

47. War and hunting are the principal employ- 
dianmen ^icuts of the mcu. The young Indian travels the 
th^m°^ war-path frequently, that he may encounter an 
enemy ; and at the great war-dance and feast of 
his tribe, he will boast of his exploits, and exhibit 
the shining marks of vermillion on his skin as 
records of his wounds. 
Hovythe 48. The Indian woman leads, a toilsome life. 
w"omeni Patiently she plants the maize, the beans, and run- 
ning vines, with the rude wooden mattock and 
shell ; her hands draw out the weeds, and in due 
season gather the harvest. She brings home thft 



INDIAN EMPLOYMENTS. 61 

game which her husband has killed — she bears tiie 
wood and draws the whaler ; and if the men pre- 
pare the poles for the wigwam, it is the woman 
who builds it, and in their toilsome journeyings she 
bears it on her shoulders. 

49. In the language of our Indians is no word how do 
for year, and they reckon time by the return of ansreck 

*f ^ J J on time \ 

bnow or the springing of flowers, and the flight of 
the birds announces the progress of seasons. 

The motion of the sun marks the hour of the 
day, and these distinctions of time are not noted 
in numbers, but in words that breathe the grace 
and poetry of nature. 

50. They kept no herds, but depended for food 

on the chase, fisheries, and agriculture; and, nn- ^^^^^ p^*»- 
like the people of the Old World, they were at food'? 
once hunters and tillers of the groimd. Water 
was the only drink of the noble red man, until 
after his acquaintance with Europeans. 

51. The government of the Indians is a patri- y^^^^ ,g 
archal confederacy. Every town or family has a tUlf go^'v- 
chief, called di sachem. Several towns compose a of ^ the 

^ ^ ^ * Indians? 

tribe, of which one of their number is the head. 
The several tribes composing a nation have also a 
chief, who directs the whole. These rulers are 
chosen on the opinion which their fellow-warriors 
have of their wisdom and integrity. 

52. Prohibitory laws w^ere hardly sanctioned by 
savage opinion, for the wild man hates restraint, 

, , , I . . I . , . How dirt 

and loves to do what is risrnt m nis own eyes, the in 

^ *' dian feel 

Arrests and prisons, law^yers and sheriffs were ^ftedl"" 
unknown. Each man was his own protector, and 
in case of death by violence, the kindred of the 



62 INDIAN HISTORY. 

deceased would go a thousand miles for the pur- 
pose of revengej over hills and mountains, through 
large cane swamps full of vines and briars, ovei 
broad lakes, rapid rivers, and deep creeks, all the 
way endangered by poisonous snakes — exposed to 
the extremities of heat and cold, to hunger and 
thirst. Peace was restored by atoning presents, if 
they were enough to cover the grave of the de- 
parted. 

They hold the bonds of brotherhood so dear, 

that a brother commonly pays the debt of the 

deceased, and assumes his revenge and perils. 

How did 53. The record of their treaties was kept by 

coS ^^' strins^s of wampum ; and when the envoy of na- 

their . . , m-/- ti -r i 

^eaties, tious met m solemn council, gut rephed to gift, and 

belttobeh. 
What of That the words of friendship might be trans- 
pelce- mitted safely through the wilderness, the red men 

revered the peace-pipe. With this mysterious pipe, 

the person of the traveler was safe and welcome to 

all v/igwams. 
whatdid 54. War alone was the avenue to glory ; all 
an^ think Other employments seemed unworthy of human 

of war? ,. . \ -^ - , . -^ 

dignity. Any one who, on chanting a war-song, 
could obtain volunteer followers, became a war- 
chief. Solemn fasts and religious rites precede the 
departure of the warriors. A belt painted red, or 
a bundle of bloody sticks sent to the enemy, is a 
declaration of defiance. 

55. As the war-party leaves the village, a fare- 
well hymn is chanted to the women : " Do not 
weep for me, loved woman, should I die ; weep for 
yourself alone, I go to revenge our fallen rela- 



INDIAN RELIGION. 63 

tions ; our foes shall lie like them ; I go to lay 
them low." 

56. Captives were sometimes saved and incor- jj^^ 
porated in the families of the tribes. In such cases Svea 
they forever left their former hunting-grounds and times 
all that they held dear. Sometimes they were 
adopted in the place of a slain warrior, and espous- 
ed all the interests and retaliated all the wrongs. 
More commonly it was the captive's lot to suffer 
torments and death. His fingers were crushed and 
torn off, the joints of his arms scorched and 
gashed, while he himself tranquilly sang the songs 

of his nation, or said to the crowd of guests at the 
festival, "My brothers, I am going to die. Make 
merry around me with good heart. I am a man. 
I neither fear death nor your torments." He then 
dances around the cabin, chanting his death-song. 
The most horrid torments last until after sunrise, 
Avhen the wretched victim, bruised, gashed, half 
roasted, and scalped, is hacked in pieces ! 

57. The rehffion of the Indian was of the rudest what is 

^ ^ ^ said of 

kind. They worship both a good and an evil ^^^^^^^f 
spirit — one to secure favor, the other to deprecate d^ans^"* 
his vengeance. 

Their heaven is in the sweet south-Avest, where a 
balmy wind ever blows, and the sky is without a 
darkening cloud — where the forests are stocked 
with game and the rivers with fish. There the 
aged warrior will never experience fatigue, or hun- 
ger, or thirst, and care will never come. 

58. The Indian saw a divinity in every thing — 
in the mountain chff, in the cheering fire, in the 
blades of grass — the woods, wilds, and running 



64 



INDIAN HISTORY. 



Streams, the stars and the sun — in the blue ocean, 
in birdj and bee, and blossom ; wherever there was 
motion, being, or action, there, to him, was a spirit ; 
his own beating heart and throbbing pulse spoke to 
him of a divinity. The Indian w^as ever firm to 
his faith ; infidelity never clouded his mind — the 
gloomy shadoAvs of scepticism were unknown to him. 
What is ^^' Pi'^yers are daily oflfe red to avert the wrath 
their su- ^^^ to secure the favor of their divinity. That 
tiws?' man should deny himself — that sin should be aton- 
ed for. are ideas that dwell in human nature. 
They were so diffused among the savages, that Le 
Clerc believed some of the apostles must have 
reached the American continent. 

60. The savage puts faith in divination. He 
casts lots, and believes Nature will be obedient to the 
decision ; he puts his trust in the sagacity of the 
sorcerer, and believes the medicine man can cure 
all his diseases. 

61. While yet alive, the dying chief sometimes 
arrayed himself in the garments in which he was 
to be buried, and, giving a farewell festival^ calmly 
chanted his last song, or made a last harangue, 
glorying in the remembrance of his brave deeds, 
and commending his surviving loved ones to his 

inwiat friends; and when he had given up the ghost, he 
were^^ was buricd in a sitting posture, as if to show that, 
buried? though Hfc was spent, the principle of being wag 
not gone. Everywhere in America this posture 
was adopted at burials. From Canada to Pata- 
gonia, it would seem as though some common sym- 
pathy pervaded the continent, and struck a chord 
which vibrated through the heart of a race. 



IND1A.N CIVILIZATION. 65 

62. Much has been done by the benevolent to 
amehorate the condition ot the Indian. Jesuits, Jj^lj^ ^^ 
Franciscans, Puritans, Moravians, &c., all have Soajd 



times en- 
(leavor«;(j 

sincerely endeavored to convert them, and win «^ate 

condi 
tion? 



their 

them to the regular habits of civihzed life. The f^^f' 
Jesuit, Stephen de Carheil, revered for his talents 
and zealy^was for more than sixty years a mission- 
ary among" the Huron-Iroquois tribes. He spoke 
their dialects as though they had been his mother- 
tongue ; yet he saw little to encourage him. 

63. Elliot, the beloved and self-denying apostle, ^^^^ ^^ 
whose benevolence amounted nearly to the inspi- tSi"^ la*!^ 
ration of genius, often almost despaired. He sue- EU?ot?° 
ceeded, after years of toil, in forming an Indian 
grammar, and translating the whole Bible into the 
Massachusetts dialect. He taught the women to 
spin, the men to dig the ground, and established 

for them simple forms of government. His zeal 
never tired, and the simplicity of his life, and inva- 
riably amiable temper, won for him many an honest 
heart. 

64. There, too, was the heavenly-minded Ma- 
hew, devoting his splendid talents to win the untu- Zlfot 
torcd savage. With many expressions of gratitude 

and love he left them, and took passage for Eng- 
land, hoping to awaken some interest there. They 
never looked upon his much-loved form again, and 
tidings never reached them of the ship in which 
he sailed. But such was the force of the god-like 
example of the son, that his father, bowed down 
with the w^eight of seventy years, resolved on 
assuming the toils and duties of the son, and at 
the age of fourscore and twelve was still zealously 



66 



INDIAN HISTORY. 



engaged. The happiest results followed these 
labors; but no one could essentially change the 
manners and habits of the tribes. 

65. Within the century and a half durinsr whicli 

What '^ . ^ 

S'Jnt?^' ^^ Cherokees have been acquainted with Euro- 

chero-^^* peans, they have learned the use of the plough and 

made? the axe, of herds and flocks, of the printing press 

and water mills ; they have gained a mastery ovei 

the fields, and taught the streams to run for their 

benefit. 

66. Whence came the red man ? was the frequent 
and anxious inquiry that followed the discovery of 
America. 

What Sev^eral tribes of the present southern Indians 

[Sons* have traditions that they came from the east or 
Indians throuofh the Atlantic ocean. Raffinesque says it is 

respect- '-' \ j 

ongili?^''^ important to distinguish the American nations of 
eastern origin from those of the northern, who, he 
says, were invaders from Tartary, and were as dif- 
ferent in their manners as w^ere the Romans and 
Vandals. 

What 67. Dr. Mitchell, after much research, concluded 

said Dr. . ' . ^ . . 

Mitcheu? that Asia and America were peopled by similar 
races of men — that America as well as Asia had 
Its Tartars on the north, and its Malays on the 
south. 

[n what The American and Monp^olian races of men on 

do the . . ° 

Jes^imbie ^^^ ^^'^ sidcs of the Pacific have a near resem- 
goii^°^'" blance. The skulls are so nearly ahke, that a 

careful observer could not distinguish one from the 

other. 

68. The dwellers on the Aleutian isles resemble 

the inhabitants of each continent ; and as the 



FATE OF THE INDIANS. 67 

adventurous Ledyard stood in Siberia, will men whatdid 
of the Mongolian race before him, and compared remS 
them with the Indians who had been his com- subjecti 
nanions and school-mates at Dartmouth, he writes 
deliberately that, " universally and circumstan- 
tially, they resemble the aborigines of America." 
On the Connecticut and the Obi, he saw but one 
race. 

69. He that describes the Tungusians of Asia, 
seems also to describe the North American. That 
the Tschukchi of North-eastern Asia and the Esqui- 
maux of America are of the same origin, is proved 
by the affinity of their languages, thus establishing 
a connection between the continents, previous to 
the discovery of America by Europeans. 

The indigenous population of America offers no what is 
new obstacle to faith in the unity of the human reganni 

•^ the bear- 

race, agreeable to the plain statement of the Bible jji? a^n- 

on that subject, which is a book entitled to the unuro/ 

term antiquity paramount to all records now in min 

existence. 

70. A melancholy interest surrounds the fate of ^^^^ j^ 
the red man. Once, sole lords of a rich and almost [non^-"^ 
boundless country, they have been crowded farther of"^the 

-t r ^ r ^ ' i* i ^^^^ man? 

and farther from their sunny nuntmg-grounds — 
farther from the noble rivers they so much loved, 
and the blue Atlantic, upon whose waves they 
thought many a good spirit dwelt. 

Some of them, overwhelmed with misfortunes, 
calmly submitted to their fate, and after the last 
struggle over the graves of their nation and kin- 
dred (a spot venerated by the red man), they de- 
parted never to return. Others fought long and 



68 INDIAN HISTORY. 

bravely, and chose rather to die within sight of the 
soil they once owned and upon the graves of their 
warriors. "By and by/' says one who mourns 
their hapless fate, " they will have passed the 
Rocky Mountains, and in a few centuries scarcely 
a remnant will be seen, unless along the beach of 
the Pacific, the utmost boundary to wliich they 
can flee ; where, as they gaze upon the illimitable 
expanse, and turn back to the country of their 
ancestors, they will mingle with the resounding 
surge the death-song of departed nations/'' 



HISTORY 



OF THE 



UNITED STATES OF AMEEICA 



DIVISION OF THE HISTOKY, 
BY EPOCHS, 

IN THREE PARTS. 



PART I. 

COMPRISRS THE EVENTS WHICH OCCURRED FROM THE 
DISCOVERY OF AMERICA BY COLUMBUS, TO THE DEC'LARA 
TION OF INDEPENDENCE, IN 1776, 

EXTENDING 284 YEARS. 



PART 11. 

COMPRISES THE EVENTS WHICH OCCURRED FROM THE 

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE TO THE COMMENCEMENT 

OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IN 1789, 

EXTENDING 13 YEARS. 



PART III. 

COMPRISES THE EVENTS WHICH OCCURRED FROM THE 

COMMENCEMENT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO THIS 

BEGINNING OF THE SOUTHERN REBELLION IN 1861. 

EXTENDING 73 YEARS. 




DEATH OF KING PHILIP. 



PART I., 

EXTENDING 284 YEARS FROM THE DISCOVERY 

OP AMERICA IN 1492, TO THE DECLARA- 
TION OF INDEPENDENCE IN 1776. 

CHAPTER I. 



HE voyages and discoveries of 
Christopher Columbus opened 
a new and brilliant, era in the 
history of the world, and ex- 
cited the admiration of all the 
nations of Europe. The mon- 
arch s, who had derided his 
undertaking, when he presented himself before 




What 

spirit did 
the dis- 
covery ol 
Colum- 
bus ex- 
cite in 
Europe '! 



72 EARLY DISCOVERIES. 



Part I. 



1492 them, in povertyj to beg their assistance, now saw, 
in the newly-discovered wilds of the Western 

whatdid World, which the genius of Columbus had laid 

ferent opcu to their vlew, a golden prize, a share of which 

these'" ^'^^y eagerly attempted to secure. 

discover- 2. Columbus was born at Genoa, in the year 
1447, and early manifested a strong partiality for 

^hen the different sciences, but more particularly for that 

where of mathematics. Blessed with a vivid imaffina- 

^as Co- . .11 , . /^ . 

Don^r ^*^^' ^^^ ardent courage and great piety, of untn- 

ing energy and perseverance, he seemed raised up 

by Providence for the great work in which he 

Ztd^of engaged, and in which his success excelled even 

histojyY his wildest dreams, or the most gorgeous pictures 

of his glovvdng and vivid imagination. 

3. The mariner's compass had already been dis- 
what covered, and with this sure guide and trusty com- 
coium^^ panion, the voyager boldly launched out into 
embm-^ uukuowu scas. Columbus early embraced the 

eed ? , 

idea, entertained by few, of the rotundity of the 
earth ; hence he believed that the Indies and a 
vast amount of undiscovered land might be reach- 
ed by sailing west. Strongly impressed with the 
truth of this idea, and knowing that such discov- 
eries would be of incalculable benefit to the 
whom nation which made them, he explained his views 

did he ' *■ 

explain succcssivcly to Johu II. of Portugal, Henry VII. of 
views? England, and to Ferdinand and Isabella, king and 

queen of Spain, beseeching them to aid him in the 
With prosecution of his great enterprise ; but they, 
guccess? ignorant and short-sighted, and believing him to 

be a wild adventurer, refused their assistance. 

4. He had already wasted seven years of his 



Ciiap. I. DEAl H OF COLUMBUS. W 

life in a fruitless- struggle to obtain his wish. His 1492 
suit had been twice rejected by the court of Spain, 
when he was summoned by Isabella to appear 
before her. This amiable queen interested herself 
so strongly in his behalf, that, finding it impossible iast°be* 
to take the money from a treasury which had been f"^"*' ' 
impoverished by a long war, she offered to pledge 
her private jewels, to obtain the means to fit out^^^^^ 
the expedition and defray the expenses of the bdii'ot- 

fer to do ) 

voyage. 

5. The necessary funds were accordingly ad- 
vanced, and on the 3d of Au2:ust, 1492, Colum- when 
bus, with three small vessels, set sail from Palos, '"mbus 

* * * make his 

on his voyage of discovery. After having encoun- age?'"^' 
tered innumerable hardships, controlled his muti- 
nous crew, and sailed thousands of miles over an oct. 21, 
unknown ocean, on the 12th of October, 1492, the Iy7e. 
joyful shout of "landj land^'^ rung from ship toZid\'f 
ship, and soon after his feet trod the soil of the alscov-* 
New World. Throwing himself upon his knees, ^'^ 
and kissing the ground, he unfurled the banner of 
Spain, and taking possession of the soil in the 
name of his royal mistress, called it '^Saii Sal- 
vador." 

6. He subsequently made three other voyages, what of 
during the years of 1493, 1498, and 1502, in v^^hich voyages-, 
he discovered many of the West India and Carib- 
bean isles, and a considerable portion of the shores 

of the Gulf of Mexico. On returning from his ^^^^^^ ^^ 
last voyage, finding Isabella, his patroness, dead, hlg^'hii 
md his claims disregarded, he gradually sunk 
beneath his sufferings, and died on the 20th of 
May, 1506, in the 59th year of his age. His last 

4 



74 EARLY DISCOVERIES. Parti 

149T wonis were " Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend 
my spirit." His body Avas deposited in the convent 
of St. FranciscOj but afterward was conveyed, v/ith 
the remains of his son Diego, to Hispaniola, and 
here ag?in disinterred and removed to Havana, in 
the island of Cuba, where it now reposes. 

7. Near the close of his life he was misrepre 
sented and persecuted. The honors due to him 
when living, have been freely awarded to him oy 
succeeding generations. In his career, we perceive 
what perseverance and untiring energy, aided by a 
firmness of purpose, can accomplish. During his 
whole life he was surrounded with difficulties and 
dangers ; yet, instead of shrinking before their 
magnitude, he pressed eagerly on, surmounted 
them all, and placed his name, surrounded with 
glory, upon the brightest page of history. 

What 8. The magnificent achievement of Columbus 

was now '^ 

of'^'the* I'evealing the wonderful truth, of which the germs 
p?fs"of may have existed in the imagination of every 
b^? thoughtful mariner, won the admiration which 
was due to an enterprise that seemed more divine 
than human, and kindled, in the breast of the emu- 
lous, a vehement desire to gain as signal renown in 
the same career of daring. 
Give an 9. Johu Cabot, a Venetian merchant, residing at 
dfscover- ^^'i^^^^j England, with liis son, Sebastian Cabot, 
clhoxt^ both men of great learning, obtained a patent from 
Henry VII., "the most ancient American state 
paper of England," authorizing them to plant the 
flag of England upon any soil hitherto unseen by 
Christian people. They sailed from England in 
May, 1497. and in June discovered the American 



Cliap* t< 



ALONZO DE OJEDA. 7S 



continent in the latitude of fifty-six degrees, among 1497. 
the rude savages and the dismal cliffs of Labrador. ' 

This discovery was made fourteen months before 
ColumbuSj on his third voyage, came in sight of 
the main-land, and nearly two years before Ameri- 
go Vespucci sailed west of the Canaries. Shortly 
after their return, another voyage was planned by 
Sebastian Cabot. With three hundred men, he 
sailed for Labrador, by the way of Iceland, which 
he reached in latitude 58° ; but owing to the 
severity of the weather, he turned his course south, 
and proceeded along the shores of the United States 
to the southern boundary of Maryland. 

10. In 1499, Alonzo de Ojeda, a companion of ^^ ^^^ 
Columbus in his first expedition, saihng under the coverfes 
patronage of several Portugese merchants, dis- deojedS 
covered the continent at Paria. Americus Vespu 

cius, a Florentine gentleman, accompanied him, 
and on his return pubhshed such an account of 
his voyage, as to lead to the belief that he was the 
first discoverer. The honor of giving a name to 
the continent, which should have been given to 
Columbus, was accordingly bestowed on him. 

11. In the year 1501, a vessel, under the com- 
mand of Caspar Contereal, was fitted out by the account 
king of Portugal, and sent on a voyage of discov- o%afpw 
ery to the New World. He proceeded to North ST^' 
America, and sailed along the coast for six or seven 
hundred miles, admiring the freshness of the ver- 
dure and the density of the stately forests. After 
naving freighted his ship with more than fifty Indi- 
ans, he returned to Portugal and sold them as 
slaves. 



76 EARLY DTSCOVERTKS. Vnrt ! 

igg4 12. The French king, Francis I., In 1523, sent 

out John Verazzani, a Florentine, who reached the 

Of John continent in the latitude of Wilmin2:ton, North 

Verazza- ^-^ , , . 

""'^ Carolina. Plis crew w^ere filled with admiration at 
the tawny color of the Indians, their ornaments, 
and garlands of feathers. As they proceeded far- 
ther north, the groves, redolent with fragrance, 
spread their perfumes far from the shore, and gave 
promise of the spices of the east. They anchored 
in the harbor of Newport for fifteen days, and from 
thence sailed along the coast of New England to 
Nova Scotia, when they returned to France. 

What 1,3. In 1534, James Cartier, under a commission 

discover- ^ . 

jarae. ^^^^'^ thc kiug of Fraucc, sailed to America, visited 
makeT the island of Newfoundland, discovered the Gulf 
of St. Lawrence and the great river of Canada, 
On his second voyage, in the follow^ing year, he 
sailed up the river as far as the Isle of Orleans. 
Here, leaving his ship, he proceeded in an open 
boat until he reached an Indian village, near the 
site of which now stands the city of Montreal. At 
the Isle of Orleans he spent the winter, which was 
rendered frightful by the intense cold and the rava- 
ges of the scurvy. In 1540, Cartier again returned 
to Canada, for the purpose of planting a settle- 
^^ ment, but was unsuccessful. The king of France 
wa^This afterward granted to De Monts the territory from 
Rhei^^ New Jersey to Nova Scotia. In virtue of this 
granted ? grant, iu 1604 he commenced the settlement of 
Port Royal, on the south-eastern side of the Bay 
of Fundy; and in 1608, his agent, Samuel Cham^- 
plain, laid the foundation of Quebec. 

14. In 1512, Juan Ponce de Leon, a fellovi voy 



Cliap. Ii 



PONCE DE LEON. 77 



ager of Columbus in his first expedition, sailed 151a. 
from Porto Rico with three ships, wliich he had 
fitted out at his own expense, and in about a month ^^.^ 
discovered Florida, and landed upon the coast a Sy did 
short distance above St. Augustine. In Spain he ^.^^^f^ 
had heard a tale, which was there credited by those 
distinguished for virtue and intelligence, of a foun- 
tain which possessed virtues to renovate the hfe of 
those who should bathe in its streams, or give a 
perpetuity of youth to the happy man who should 
drink of its ever-flowing waters. 

15. This elixir of hfe was to flow from a per- 
petual fountain in the New World, in the midst of 

T • -1 1 1 1 rm T For what 

a country glittermg with gems and gold. To dis- g|jp°5® 
cover this fountain, De Leon, w^hose cheeks had come t& 
been furrowed by hard service, made this voyage ; woridT 
but, although he sought for it long and earnestly, 
he was compelled to return without having drunk 
of Its youth -renewing waters. 

16. In 1520, a company of seven, at the head 

of w^hom was Lucas Vasquez de AUyon, fitted out object 
two slave ships from St. Domingo, in quest of ^^^^^^fl^ 
laborers for their plantations. From the Bahama ''^^^^^*- 
islands they passed to the coast of South Carolina, 
invited the natives to visit the ships, and when a 
number had crowded upon the decks, at a given 
signal they weighed anchor, and set sail for St. 
Domingo. Husbands were torn from their wives, what 
and children from their parents ; but the crime was STe'r 
finally avenged, for one of the ships foundered at 
Bea, and the guilty and guiltless perished together. 
Vasquez again sailed to the coast, with the royal 
permission to conquer the country; but his men 



78 EARLY DISCOVERIES. Part X. 

1536 ^veie slaughtered by the enraged natives, and he 
returned to his home to die of wounded pride. 

17. PamphiUo de Narvaez attempted, at a later 
D?Na?^ day, to conquer Florida ; but of three hundred men 

who landed with him on the coast, only five return- 
what of ed. Ferdinand de Soto, the favorite companion of 
Pizarro in his conquest of Peru, believing Florida 
to be a land full of gold and diamonds, and unin- 
timidated at the fate of Narvaez, determined to 
make the conquest at his own expense. No sooner 
were his intentions known, than hundreds of the 
nobles of Castile flocked to his standard. Six hun- 
dred men, in the prime of life, in the glittering 
array of polished armor, with brilliant hopes, sailed 
with him for the land of promise. 

18. In 1539, he landed in the Bay of Spiritu 
Santo, in Florida. Fearing that his men might 
wish to return, he sent his ships back to Cuba, and 

What of marched boldly forward into the wilderness. Gold 

the ad- , •^ . 

aSd^7u-^ was the object of his search, and for that he pene- 
tofy Sf'" trated tlfe country hundreds of miles, in every 
' direction, entered Georgia and Carolina, crossed 
the AUeghanies, fought a bloody battle with the 
Indians at Mobile, and another with the Chicka- 
saws, in which all their clothes were destroyed, and 
they compelled to clothe themselves in the skins of 
beasts. 

19. When, at length, they reached the Missis- 
sippi, the spirit of their leader was broken down by 
their long journey. Attacked by a mahgnanl 
fever, and feeling himself to be near his end, he 
called his followers around him, bade them fare- 
well, and died. His body was wrapped in his man- 



Cliap. I. I^K SOTO AND COLIGNI. 79 

tie, andj in the stillness of midnight, sunk in the 154*2 
middle of the stream. The discoverer of the Mis- 
sissippi slept beneath its waters. His men, under 
the successor which he had appointed, wandered 
jn the wilderness for a few months, and then em- 
barking upon the river in boats, sailed down the 
stream until they reached the Gulf of Mexico, 
when they pursued their way along the coast until 
they arrived at a Spanish settlement in Mexico, 
nearly four years from the time they first com- 
menced their wanderings in the wilderness. 

20. Jasper Coligni, the leader of the Huguenot ^^^^ ^^ 
party in France, determined to establish a settle- coilgnl^ 
ment in America, to which the Protestants could 
flee from the persecutions which harassed them in 
their native land. He accordingly, in 1562, after 
having secured a commission from the king, sent 
out two ships under the command of John Ribault. 
Land was first discovered on the coast of Florida, 
in the latitude of St. Augustine. Sailing north, 
he entered a river, which he named Port Royal, 
and erected upon an island a fort, which he called 
Fort Charles. Leaving there a colony under Cap- 
tain Albert, he returned to France. 

2L The people soon after mutinied, killed Cap- 
tain Albert, and in a small ship set sail for France, ^j^^^tof 
In 1564, Laudonnier sailed for Florida with three ^^""^^d 
ships. He landed at the river May, and built a 
fort, which, in honor of the French king, he named 
Carolina. In the following year, Ribault arrived a 
second time, and was made governor of the colony 
at Carolina. Spain had never rehnquished her 
claim to this country, which, she maintained, be- 



dez? 



80 EARLY DISCOVERIES. Parti. 

1564 longed to her by right of discovery. Philip II, 
' determined to destroy the nest of heretics who had 

settled there, and plant in their place a Catholic 
colony. 
What of 22. He accordingly sent over Pedro Melendez, 
Melen- a man accustomed to scenes of blood and butcher)^ 
Landing upon the coast of Florida, south of the 
French settlement, he laid the foundation of the 
city of St. Augustine, the oldest town by forty 
years of any in the United States. The French 
had received intimation of the design of the 
Spaniards, and sent out an expedition by sea to 
attack them in their harbor ; but meeting with a 
terrific storm, the ships were wrecked, and nearly 
all on board perished. Melendez, marching with 
his troops through the forest, attacked the French 
in their rear, and massacred the whole company 
excepting Laudonnier and a few others, who 
escaped to France. 

23. Over their corpses he placed the inscription, 
" We do not this as unto Frenchmen^ hut as unto 
heretics^ Upon the ground, smoking with the 
blood of a peaceful colony, a cross was raised and 
the site of a church selected. Melendez then 
erected three forts for the defense of the country, 
and strongly garrisoned them with Spanish sol- 
diers. 

24. The French king took no notice of this mas- 
ges?*^"^' sacre ; but the Chevalier de Gorges, a bold soldier, 

fitted out an expedition at his own expense, and 
sailed for Florida, determined to avenge the death 
of his countrymen. On his arrival, he made a 
descent upon the Spaniards, razed thei\ forts, hung 



Wliat of 



Chap. I. ^^^ WALTER RALEIGH. 81 

two hundred of their garrison, writing over them, i^qs. 
" I do not this to Spaniards^ but unto traitors, rob- 
bers, and murderers P'' France disavowed the 
expedition, and relinquished all pretension to 
Florida. 

25. In 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, a soldier and 

a statesman, having received a grant from Q.ueen G^iben? 
Elizabeth of such lands as he might discover and 
occupy, sailed with five ships for the purpose of 
making a settlement in America. Landing at 
Newfoundland, he took possession of the country 
in the name of his sovereign, and then proceeded 
south ; but meeting with a terrific storm, in which 
one of his ships was wrecked, he altered his course 
and sailed for England. His ship foundered at 
sea, and the brave Gilbert, with all his crew, per- 
ished. 

26. Sir Walter Raleiffh. warned by the sad fate 

of his step-brother, resolved on a settlement m a i;a|ent 

^ ' did Sir 

milder climate. Having obtained from Ehzabeth Jeikhob- 
a patent as ample as that conferred on Gilbert, in EUza-'"^* 
which he was constituted a lord proprietor with 
almost unlimited powers, he dispatched two vessels 
for the New World, under the command of Philip 
Amidas and Arthur Barlow. Arriving opposite the 
shores of Carolina, they entered the first conveni- 
ent harbor, and took possession of the country for 
their queen. It was in the month of July, and the 
land seemed hke the garden of Eden. The grapes ^-J^^Jr 
were so abundant on every vine, that the surge of tJSf Ss""' 
the ocean, as it rolled in upon the shore, dashed its 
spray upon the clusters. Elizabeth, as she heard 
their reports of the enchanted regions which they 



82 EARLY DISCOVERIES. p^^^ -g 

1054 had discovered, as a memorial of her unmarried 

state, named them Virginia. 
What 27. Raleigh, encouraged by these favorable ac- 
tion^was counts, fitted out, in 1585, seven ships, to convey to 

atted out , . ^ . , ^ . ^ ' -^ 

in 1585? his new possessions the emigrants who were eager 
to settle in so delightful a country. The command 
of the expedition was given to Sir Richard Green- 
ville, and Ralph Lane accompanied it as governor 
fj^dol^ of the colony. In a short time he reached Vir- 
Laie^ ginia, and having left the settlers on the island of 
Roanoke, returned to England. Lane was cruel 
and avaricious, and by his imprudence excited the 
animosity of the Indians. Fortunately, in the fol- 
lowing year, when the colonists were reduced 
Smeto almost to starvation. Sir Francis Drake arrived 
oHh^' from an expedition against the Spaniards, and car- 
nisis? I'ied them back to England. Shortly after their 
departure, a ship, sent out by Raleigh, arrived with 
suppUes, but found no one to receive them. 
rjuder 2^' I*^ 1587, Raleigh sent out another coiony, 
was**™ under the command of Captain White. Soon after 
loiysent their arrival, White returned to Enrfand to obtain 

out, in . . ^ 

1587? supplies. Owing to a war in which England was 
embroiled with Spain, nearly three years elapsed 
before he cotild return, and then the colony was 

What is completely destroyed, no one being left to tell its 

fSfate? fate. Raleigh, discouraged at these repeated fail- 
ures of his plans, made no farther attempt to colo- 
nize the country, which for many years remained 
in the quiet possession of the natives. 

29. In 1602, Bartholomew Gosnold sailed for 

said of America, and reached the coast of Massachusetts 

ttie voy- 

fosnoid? in May. Proceeding south, he discovered Cape 



Cliap.I. ^^^ LONDON COMPANY. 83 

Cod, entered Buzzard's Bay, and, after trading a i603 
while with the Indians, returned home. In 1603 ~ 
and 1605, two voyages were made, one by Martin ^^^at 
Pring, and the other by George Weymouth, in ?t^lgea 
which many rivers and bays on the coast of Maine made? 
and Massachusetts were discovered. 

30. The accounts of these navigators re-awaken- 
ed the spirit of emigration which had so long 
remained dormant, and led to an extensive scheme 
of colonization. Through the influence of Mr. 
Richard Hackluyt, an association of influential 
gentlemen was formed for the purpose of sending 
colonies to America. Virginia, at that time, ex- 
tended from the southern boundary of North Caro- 
lina to the northern boundary of Maine. 

31. Two companies were formed ; one, composed what 
of noblemen and g-entlemen in and about London, ^9^^^- 

c> ? nies 

was called the London company ; the second, of formed, 
knights and gentlemen in the west, called the Ply- te"rritor? 
mouth company. The former had an exclusive right g^^Lch? 
to occupy the regions from thirty-four to thirty-eight 
degrees of north latitude ; the latter had an exclu- 
sive right to the country between forty-one and 
forty-five degrees. The intermediate district from 
thirty-eight to forty-one degrees was open to both 
companies. 

32. The superintendence of each district was how 
confided to a council in England, appointed by the |stdctg 
king. The local administration of each colony f^^^;^^ 
was entrusted to a council residing within its limits, 
also appointed by the king, and to act in conform- 
ity with his instructions. Thus to the corporation 
nothing was given but a territory, with the right 



84 VIRGIN A. p^^.^ ^^ 

I606 of peopling and defending it, while to the monarch 
was reserved absolute legislative authority, with 
the control of all appointments. 



CHAPTER II. 

VIRGINIA. 

1. One hundred and nine years had rolled away 
wS"\e ^^^^^ ^^^ discovery of the American continent by 
vfrginia^ Cabot, forty-one years from the settlement of Flor- 
ifterS^ ida, and yet no permanent colony had been estab- 

bot dis- ,. , , . ,r. . . T» 1 11, 

Ameri? 1^^^^^ ^^^ Virginia. Kepeated attempts had been 

*"* made, but through want of proper foresight they 

had proved unsuccessful. In 1606 the London 

pedition Company, after havinsr matured a plan of settle- 
was sent r J J o r 

the illfn- nient, and formed the laws which were to govern 
naSy.T' it, sciit out to South Virp'inia three ships and 105 

1606 1 

men, under the command of Newport. 

2. The names and instructions of the council 
were handed to Newport in a sealed box, with 

rS%f orders not to open it until twenty-four hours after 
jff'" his arrival in America. During the voyage the 

Smith? "^ o. • 1 . 

genius and energy of Capt. John Smith excited 
mnte jealousy, and under the frivolous charge of wish- 
STy ing to murder the council and proclaim himself 
aiST^"'^ ' king of Virginia, he was placed in confinement. 
r^Jach^the Newport sailed by the way of the West India 
S; islands, intending to land at Roanoke ; but a vio- 



Cliap. II. CAPT. JOHN SMITH. ^5 

lent storm drove him north into the Chesapeake i^ot 
bay. Discovering a noble river, they named it 
JameSj after their monarch. what 

3. The rich country ard the flowery shrubs which he dis- 

*' •' cover, 

Dordered the shore invited them to enter. They p"sid^,f 
Bailed up the stream about fifty miles, encountering se?e?t\.i 
the hostility of but one small tribe, and selected the mint? 
peninsula of Jamestown for the site of the colony. 
Wingfield was elected President of the council ; but ^^Lg^ 
Smith, although released from confinement, was smfth?^ 
excluded from his seat in their body, notwithstand- 
ing he had been duly appointed by the Company. 
The attempt at his trial was finally abandoned, and 
he restored to his station. Although surrounded 
by Indians, from whom they could expect but little what of 
assistance, the colony, which was composed princi- raster of 
pally of indolent gentlemen, paid no attention to^'^^nts? 
the cultivation of the soil, so that famine soon 
stared them in the face. 

4. Newport sailed for England in June, and in a ^^hat of 
few weeks after his departure scarcely ten of the lerln^s^* 
settlers were able to walk. They fell victims to colony 

•^ after the 

diseases occasioned by the want of food, the heat ^^^p'^'^j. 
of the climate, and the decay of luxuriant vegeta- ?o^rr 
tion. Often four or five died in a night, and in the 
morning their bodies were trailed out of the cabin, 
like dogs, to be buried. Such was the mortality 
that by autumn fifty men had perished. Gosnold, 
the projector of the settlement, was among the 
number. 

5. Disunion completed the work of misery, what of 
Wingfield, the avaricious President, was deposed treW 
from oflTix for dishonesty in appropriating the pub- ^^jj^- 



86 VIRGINIA. Parti 

leot ^^^ stores to his own use^ and Ratcliffc appointed in 

iiis place ; but the latter, ignorant and indolent, 

no^ was glad to leave the management of affairs to 

ihe"^lf- Smith, whose cheerful courage alone diffused light 

fairs of \ 

the coio amid the general gloom. 

6. His whole life had been spent in the service 
ot laimanity. The trials through which he had 
passed were evidently intended to fit him for the 

said of orreat part he was to play in the settlement of Vir- 

the ener- or r j 

llr\y]L ginia. He had visited Egypt, Italy and France, and 
ofsmith? fQ^g]-^^ jj^ many battles against the Turks. At 
length taken prisoner and sent to Constantinople 
as a slave, he was relieved by a Turkish lady and 
finally regained his liberty. Returning to England, 
he shared in the general enthusiasm of planting 
States in America, and now the infant common- 
wealth of Yirginia depended for its existence upon 
his firmness. He inspired the natives with awe, 
and quelled the spirit of anarchy and rebellion 
among the emigrants. 

7. He w^as accustomed to make frequent excur- 
sions into the interior to obtain provisions and ex- 

Hovvwas plore the country. In one of these expeditions, 
priso^ne^r" after having ascended the Chickahominy river near- 
indians? ly to its sourcc, he was attacked by a party of In- 
dians and all of his companions killed. Seizing 
an Indian youth he held him as a shield between 
his body and the enemy and fled ; but being unac- 
quainted with the country, he sunk to his neck in 
a swamp and was taken prisoner. 

8. Smith now preserved his life by his calmness 
^ervi'his ^^^ sclf-possessioii. Displaying a pocket compass 
•^^^^ he amused the savages by an explanation of its 



Chap* II. 



CAPT. JOHN SMITH. 87 



powers, and increased their admiration of his genius jeos 
by imparting to them some conception of the form 
of the earth and the nature of the planetary sys- ^^ 
tern. Their wonder, however, soon seemed to abate, did^^Sey 
and he was led in triumph to Powliattan, their htm^and 

^ ^ ^ ' what. 

king. Powhattan and his council doomed him to JedsioS 
death, as a man whose genius and courage were lifted'* 
dangerous to the Indians. He was accordingly led 
to execution, but just as Powhattan had raised his 
club to perform its murderous work, Pocahontas, 
his youthful daughter, rushed through the crowd whatcir- 

•^ o 7 o cumstan- 

and with a shriek threw herself upon the prostrate J^?! ilfe^ 
form of Smith, at the same time casting an im- sefved? 
ploring look toward her father, with eyes swim- 
ming with tears besought his life. The heart of 
the savage king was touched with pity, and drop- 
ping the war-club he raised his daughter and the {5^yky*^^a' 
captive from the ground. Smith was now looked ?he^^^^ 
upon as a friend, and succeeded in establishing a ^ * ^^ 
peaceful intercourse between the English and the 
tribes of Powhattan. Thus his captivity, on the 
whole, was a benefit to the colony. 

9. Returning to Jamestown he found the colony in what 
in a state of great confusion and distress. Only STd'^he" 
forty of the emigrants were alive, and the strono^er coionyou 

•^ ^ ^ ' => his re- 

part of these had seized the pinnace to make their ^"'""^ 

escape. This third attempt at desertion he re- 
pressed at the hazard of his life. Newport soon said of 

1111 ^^® ^'""" 

arrived with supplies and one hundred and twenty {J^j^.^Jj^t 

emigrants ; but, unhappily, most of them were chamc-^ 
vagabond gentlemen and goldsmiths, who gave a emi^ 
wron^ direction to the industry of the colony. Be- who 

o J J came 

lieving they had found grains of gold in a glitter- JJim^ 



88 VIRGINIA. 



Pari Ii 



1608. ^J^? sand which abounded near Jamestown, a ship 

was loaded with it and sent to England, where it 

didthey^was found to be no better than common earth. 

thek^^ Finding the people too mad to pursue any useful ob- 

time, and . if i /» 1 1 • i • i i i i • i 

witn ^^ ject,and disgusted at the follies which he had vaml}^ 
^"^^- opposed, Smith set off to explore the country, and 
m"^ ^^^ sailed in an open boat three thousand miles along 
alter- the coast, discovering many beautiful bays and 

ward ex- 70./ j ^ 

ciaS?^^^ rivers : thus adding greatly to the geographical 
knowledge of the country. 

10. Three days after his return he was made 
What is President of the council. Under his energetic ad- 
hil ad- ministration order and industry bee^an to prevail, 

ministra- , ,^ • i • i i 1 I 

t.ou? when JNewport arrived with a second supply and 
seventy emigrants. They considered themselves 
above labor, but Smith insisted that if they would 
not work they should not eat, so that they were 
soon willing to drop the gentleman and labor like 

What the rest. Jamestown now besran to assume the, 

was the 

o?"1hi°" appearance of a regular place of abode ; yet at the 
two"^ expiration of two years not more than thirty or 
from its forty acics of land had been cultivated, and the 

settle- "^ . . . 

merit? colouists wei'c oftcu Compelled to solicit food from 
the Indians to preserve themselves from starvation. 
What is H- I*^ 1609 the London Company obtained a 
the'^new ucw chartci*, enlarging their territory and increas- 
obtained ing their privileges. The council in England and 
corapa- ^^^ governor, before appointed by the king, were to 
"^- be chosen by the stockholders, and the governor to 
What i ^'^^^^^ i^ Virginia. Lord Delaware was appointed 
thliSpe- governor for life. Soon after, nine ships, carrying 
*eut*out? five hundred emigrants and certain officers appoint- 
ed to supersede the existing government, were sent 



Cnap. II. SECOND CHARTER. 89 

out from England. A violent storm arising, the iqoo. 
ship in which these officers sailed was wrecked on 
the island of Bermuda. A small ketch perished, 
and seven ships onl}^ arrived in Virginia. 

12. The new emigrants were most of them rakes 
and libertineSj men more fitted to corrupt than to what 
found a commonwealth. Declaring that the old Sfam?^ 
charter was ahrosrated. and that until the arrival the. new 

^ ' ^ emi- 

of the governor^ no one in the colony had any fi^^ what 



cotirse 



authority from the new grant, anarchy seemed at d?d/ 
hand. Rut Smith insisted that his office did not pursue? 
expire until the arrival of the new governor, reso- ^^j^^^j^, 
lutely A-^aaintained his authority until, disabled by hS'^re- 
aii ac^.idental discharge of gunpowder, he delegated Engkidi 
his fli^hority to Percy and embarked for England. 
VP^, The colonists, no lono^er controlled by an 

'. ° *^ What 

acknowledged authority, were soon abandoned to ^^^^ 
idleness. The Indians learning that the only man depart" 
whom they dreaded had left the colony, not only '^^^' 
refused to supply them with food, but murdered a 
large number, and laid their plans to starve and 
destroy the whole company. So great w^as the 
famine, that the settlers devoured the skins of their S^^Jf 
horses and the bodies of the Indians whom they Le? ^^' 
had killed. Smith, at his departure, had left more 
than four hundred and ninety persons in the colo- 
ny; in six months the number was reduced to 
sixty, and these were so dejected that if relief had 
not arrived, in ten days all must have perished. 

14. At this frightful period. Sir Thomas Gates 
arrived with the passengers who had been wrecked y/^lJJf-f 
upon the coast of Bermuda. All immediately de- ?he'a?r?° 
termined to sail for Newfoundland. They accord- ILtcn 



90 VIRGINIA. 



Part I, 



1610 ^^S^y embarked on board of the newly -arrived 

ships and dropped down the stream with the tide ; 

What but the next morning they fell in near the mouth 

?d^thefr of the river with the lon^-boat of Lord Delaware, 



carrying 



their " who had arrived on the coast with emisfrants and 

plans m- ^ ....*"' 

ilLn?"^"^ supplies. The fugitives immediately returned to 
Jamestown. 

15. The severe trials through which they had 
passed had taught them their dependence upon 
Godj and they now recommenced their colony with 
appropriate religious services, acknowledging the 
hand of Providence so signally displayed in saving 
the^ld- them from famine and utter extinction. Under the 
tfon^^of" niild administration of Lord Delaware order and 
aware 1* coutentmeut were restored, and the colony soon as- 
sumed the appearance of affluence and security. 
In a short time his health making it necessary for 
him to return to England he w^as succeeded by Sir 
Thomas Dale. 
What is 16. In the same year Sir Thomas Gates was ap- 
the ad- pointed sfovernor and sailed for Virginia with six 

ministra- . , 

Gfltes^^ ships and three hundred emigrants. On his arri- 
val he assumed the government of the colony, 
which then numbered seven hundred men. 

Hitherto all property had been held in common, 
but now a new plan was adopted, and each man 
had a few acres assigned to him as his own. This 
produced a beneficial change, for the love of pos- 
session stimulated each one to improve his own to 
the utmost. 
change 17. In 1612 auothcr change in the charter of the 
uil'^cha"- ^ii'gii^i^ Company took place, granting to them the 
leiaj" Bermudas and all islanfls within three hundred 



Cliap* II< 



THIRD CHARTER. 91 



leagues of the Virginia shorCj and giving the con- i6i*j 
trol of the colony to the members of the company. ~" 
These men appointed the ofRcers, and made the 
laws — the settlers being excluded, as heretofore, from 
any influence in the government. 

18. In the following year the hostility of the how 
Indian tribes was changed into friendship by the hostm- 
marriage of Pocahontas to a young Englishman, by ^^f^,^"' 
the name of John Rolfe. With the approbation of Slto"^^'^ 
her father and friends, Opachisco, her uncle, gave the ship? 
bride away in the little church at Jamestown, and 

she stammered before the altar her marriage vows- 
according to the rites of the English service. In what of 
1616 she sailed with her husband for England, and ture his. 
was received at court with the distinction due to an l^l^^^^ 
American princess. As she was preparing to return 
to America she fell a victim to the English climate, 
at the age of twenty-two — saved, as if by the hand 
of mercy, from beholding the extermination of the 
tribes from which she sprung, leaving a spotless 
name, and dwelling in memory under the form of 
perpetual youth. 

19. In 1619, under the administration of Yeardiy, 

1 /» 1 • 1 11 1 1 1 • TT* • • \Vhato(> 

the first colonial assembly ever held m Virginia met curred 
at Jamestown. The house of burgesses, as it was ^f„istrt- 
called, could debate and enact laws, but they could Yeard?yi 
not be of force till they were ratified by the compa- 
ny in England. Nearly thirteen years had now 
passed away since the settlement had been begun, ]y^s%e 
Moxe than eighty thousand pounds had been ex- ITthe"^ 

<~> '' '■ colony 

pended by the company, yet the colony contained thirteen 
only six hundred persons. In 1620, however, |?ma-'** 
through the influence of Sir Edward Sandys, 



92 VIRGINIA. Pjjj,^ j^ 

1620 twelve hundred and sixty-one emigrants came 
Ho"^"" out. 

Sers 20. Most of thcsc settleis were without families, 
in 1620? To strengthen their attachment to the land of their 
Tiif was adoption, the company prevailed upon ninety young 
?o7u?.^ women to embark for the colony, where they were 
them assured of a welcome. On their arrival they had 

with T/v» 1 • /» T mi 

wives? no diiTiculty m nndmg agreeable partners. The 
husbands paid the expenses of emigration, the price 
of a wife being about one hundred and fifty pounds 
of tobacco. Domestic ties were formed ; new emi- 

wif the giants constantly arrived, and within three years, 
three thousand five hundred persons found their 
way to Virginia, which was a refuge even for 
Puritans. 

What is 21. In 1620 a Dutch man-of-war entered James 

said of . 1111 r 1 rr^i • 

^heintro- nvcr aud landed twenty negroes for sale. This is 
rtey^ the sad epoch of the introduction of negro slavery 
in the English colonies. The system was fastened 
on the rising institutions of America, not by the 
consent of the corporation, nor the desire of the 
emigrants ; but, as it was introduced by the mer- 
cantile avarice of a foreign nation, so it was subse- 
quently riveted by the policy of England, without 
regard to the interest or wishes of the colony. The 
number of slaves increased very slowly in Virginia, 
so that thirty years after their first importation 
there was not more than one slave to fifty whites. 

1621 

What' 22. In 1621 Sir Ralph Wyatt arrived as the suc- 

privi- . . 

thectn- cessor of Yeardly. He brought with him a written 

brought" constitution, securing many valuable privileges to 

wyait ^ the colonists, and among them the trial by jury 

and local courts founded on Enrfish law. Vhe 



eiiap.II. WRITTEN CONSTITUTION. 93 

goveraor and assembly chosen by the people were i^^i 
to exercise full legislative authority, but no law 
would be valid unless ratified by the company in 
England. With singular justice it was also or- 
dained, that no order of the court in London should 
bind the colony unless ratified by the general as- 
sembly. 

22. Under these equitable laws and the mild ad- w^t » 

A said Of 

ministration of Wyatt, the colony continued in ny^ under 
the full tide of prosperity ; but a storm was gather- Jelufa- 

, . 1 1 • 1 tions? 

mg which was soon to sweep over then' settlements 
in fury, changing their smiling villages to heaps 
of burning ruins. Powhattan, the father of Poca- 
hontas, remained, after the marriage of his daugh- ^^^^^ 
ter, the firm friend of the English. In 1618 he Swed 
died, and his youno^er brother, who was now the delth 
neir to his iniiuence, viewed with a jealous eye the hattan? 
gradual encroachments of the English, and deter- ^^^^^^^ 
mined to destroy them. By his art and eloquence '"^"^"^° 



were 
hostili- 



he united all the neiffhborinsr tribes in his horrible ties 

° ^ brought 

design, ^''"^t? 

24. The Indians, up to the very hour of the 
massacre, with the cunning and treachery peculiar 
to that race, professed a warm friendship for the 
whites. They entered their houses, sat at their 
tables, and brought them presents of game and 
fish. Precisely at mid-day, on a given signal, the 
terrible war-whoop rang through their villages, and 
the work of blood commenced. Neither the gray ^^^t*} 
hairs of old age, weeping mothers, nor smihng child- gacr??*' 
hood, could soften the heart of their savage foe, as, 
with face distorted with passion, and eyes blazing 
with fury, they crashed with their tomahawks and 



94 VIRGINIA. 



Part I. 



1623 huge war-clubs through the skulls of their victhns. 
All upon whom they could lay then* hands were 
murdered. In one hour three hundred and forty- 
seven persons were cut off. 

How 25. None would have been saved had not a do- 

was the 

destmc- rnesticated Indian, residing in one of the villages, 
iho" ^^ revealed the plot to his master, whom he had been 

wIt tcs 

prevent rcqucsted to murder. Information was immediately 
given to some of the nearest settlements, just in 
time to save them from the calamity which fell 
upon others. Had not the watchful care of Provi- 
dence warned the few who were saved through this 
faithful Indian, the sun of that colony would have 
set in blood, not one being left to tell the tale. 

26. The English, roused to vengeance at this 
,^^^^ treachery of the Indians, commenced against them 
nHVJ^"^ a war of extermination. The savages were driven 
tiefr back into the wilderness by their victorious foes; 

but the number of whites gradually melted away 
»nany bv war and famine, until in 1624 of nine thousand 

were liv- -^ ' 

till coio- persons who had been sent from England but 
1624?" eighteen hundred existed in the colony. 

27. Kino^ James declared that these contmued 

What . ^ 

step did misfortunes were owing to the bad government of 
tek!?^\o the colony, and sent out three commissioners to 
tti^char- Virginia to inquire into the state of the plantation ; 
viiginia? but, determined to have the government in his own 
hands, before they returned a judicial trial was in- 
stituted, which resulted in the canceling of the 
charter. Virginia was changed into a royal pro- 
vince and a governor appointed by the king. 

28. In 1625 Charles I. ascended the throne of 
England. One of his first Virginia measures was 



Chap. II. CHARTER CANCELLED. 95 

toannounce hisfixedresolutionof becoming, through le^s 
his agents, the sole factor of the planters ; but this ~~^^ 
resolution was never carried into effect. In 1628 wa^s%e 
Sir John Harvey was appointed governor. From ginia "^ 

'' ^ ^ *^ measure 

the time of his first appearance in America, in of^chaa 
1623, he had been looked upon with aversion by i628. 
the colonists. They beheld in him a tyrant, who saicf of 

. r ^ • 1^ 1 Governor 

preferred the mterests of hmiself and patrons to the Harvey? 
welfare and quiet of the colony. 

29. The colonists at length, indisrnant at his re- For what 

^ ' <~> purpose 

peated acts of injustice, deposed him from office f^f^ ^^ 
and sent him to England for trial ; but Charles re- a"! what 
fused an audience to his accusers, and sent him result^ 
back to Virginia with a new commission as gov- ^^^^ 
ernor. In 1639, however, he was suspended by the ^^^ 
appointment of Sir Francis Wyatt, who, at the ex- If'u-^^. 
piration of two years, was succeeded by Sir Wil-^^^' 
iiam Berkeley. Immediately after his arrival, he 

*^ . . "What of 

convened the colonial assembly. Religion was pro- ^^f^^^^f 
moted, the law of land titles adjusted, and peace Ska 
with the Indians confirmed. 

30. Nearly up to this time the Puritans had en- 
joyed religious liberty in Virginia, and had been 
invited to emigrate and settle in the country. But 
in 1643 they began to harbor the same bitter feel- 
ings toward other religious sects whicli had long 
existed among the Puritans in New England. A 
law was accordingly passed forbidding any minister ^^^^ 
to teach or preach, except in conformity to the Epis- K^.^" 
copal church, and non-conformists were banished mlf^^ 
from the colony. 

31. In 1644 the Powhattan tribes again fell upon 
tlie settlement, and before they were driven back 



96 VIRGINIA. Part 1. 

1646 three hundred persons were killed. A war upon 
jg44 them was commenced ; Opechancanough, their 

S^^of aged chief, was made prisoner, and died in misera- 

with^the ble captivity of wounds inflicted by a brutal soldier. 

£"1644^ ^ border-warfare continued until in 1646 the Indi- 
ans were reduced to submission. 

What is 32. In England a party had been a long time 

war*^\^n^ forming in opposition to the royal government. 

England? Qjyji ^y^y ^^ length commenced, the throne was 
overturned and Charles I. beheaded. Cromwell, 
under the title of protector, swayed the sceptre 
of the commonwealth. During the nine years of 

was the the protectorship, but little attention was paid to 

condition , ^ ' ' * 

^nli"^" Virginia. Her governors were chosen by herself, 
thecom and in all but a name she was an independent gov- 
weaith? ernment. Firm in her loyalty to the king, she was 
the last to acknowledge the authority of Cromwell, 
and only did so when a fleet, sent out by parliament 
to reduce her to submission, appeared off the coast. 
33. Their governor, Berkeley, retired to private 
life, where he remained until just before the Resto- 
ration, when he was again elected governor, and 
was the first to proclaim Charles II. as their lawful 
What is sovereign. 
the"^ ^ Great was the rejoicing throughout the colo- 

hopesof - . ^ . 

the coio- nv. on the restoration oi monarchy m ii^iipland. 

ny on the '^ ' ./ o 

tionT^' They had hoped that the king, out of gratitude 



How for their adherence to his cause, would heap 
thly^dis- favors on them : but in this they were disap- 

appomt- ' . •', * 

^^' pointed, for with characteristic ingratitude, he neg- 
ro ' lected their interests and imposed additional restric- 
the^rter- ^^^^® upon theu' commcrcc. He also granted to 
gmnted? Lord Culpcppcr and Earl Arlington, two royal favor- 



Cliap. II. RESTORATION OF MONARCHY. 97 

ites, the whole territory of Virginia for the space ieT3 
of thirty-one years. 

34. Outraged and indignant at the repeated in- wiifthe 
juries which they had received from the hands of of'SS 
those of whom they had a right to expect only l^^^l^^^^ 
kindness, they soon began to manifest their feehngs ^"J""^^^ 
in murmurs of discontent, when gathered together 

in the gloom of the forest to talk of their hard- 
ships. Conscious of their wrongs, half conscious 
of the rightful remedy, nothing was wanting but ^^J^^^J, 
an excuse for appearing in arms. fereVL 

35. This soon offered itself; for the Seneca In- pearing^* 
dians had driven the Susquehannahs from the head 

of the Chesapeake, and Maryland was involved in 
war with the latter tribe and their confederates. 
Murders had been committed on the soil of Vir- ws. 
ginia, and when six of the hostile chieftains pre- 
sented themseWes to treat for a reconciliation, in the 
blind fury of the moment they were slain. A bor- 
der-warfare now commenced, in which the Indians 
laid waste the plantations and butchered the in- 
habitants with savage cruelty. 

36. The avaricious Berkeley, fearing to com- 
mence direct hostilities against the Indians, lest it 
should interfere with his lucrative beaver trade, 
winked at their atrocities and delayed taking 
measures to protect the frontier. The people chose ^id^^of 
Nathaniel Bacon for their leader, and demanded point- ^" 

' ment of 

of the governor leave to rise and protect ihem- j^l^fjj ^ 
selves. |^i£ 

37. Berkeley, jealous of Bacon's popularity, re- duct '^of 

fused his consent ; but his authority now was but^^y? 

httle fevered. In a short time five hundred men 

5 



98 VIRGINIA. Part I. 

16T6 were under armSj and Bacon, with common voice, 
*~~ proclaimed leader of their enterprise. Hardly had 
Bacon oommenced his march against the Indians, 
before Berkeley proclaimed him and all his follow- 
ers rebels, and sent out troops to pursue them ; but 
the troops were compelled to return to check a new 
insurrection, and he continued his expedition. 
oie^h- 38. The great mass of the people were now 
ofthedd thoroughly excited, and demanded the dissolution 
b]yi of the old assembly. Berkeley, finding it impossi- 
ble to stem the current of popular opinion, was 
compelled to yield. The old assembly, rendered 
odious by its tyranny, was dissolved, a new assem- 
bly was elected, and among the representatives was 
Bacon, who had just returned in triumph from his 
Indian warfare. 
nie^Ln- ^^' Bacon was appointed commander-in-chief: 
Berkeley but Berkeley refused to sign his commission until, 
Return of shortlv after, he entered Jamestown at the head of 

Bacon? j j 

five hundred men, when the governor, at the urgent 
solicitation of the council, yielded, and issued the 
commission. Bacon and his troops then commenced 
their march against the Indians. 

No sooner had they gone, than the proud and 
vacillating governor repaired to Gloucester county, 
the most loyal in Virginia, summoned a convention 
of the inhabitants, and against their advice pro- 
claimed him a traitor. 
What 40. Bacon, enraged at this conduct, returned 

were the ' ® ' 

?nrdv*if with his forces to Jamestown. The governor and 
©Sowed? council fled, and he at once found himself possess- 
ed of supreme power. He immediately called 
together an assembly, who bound themselves to 



f>n«ip. II. bacon's rebellion, 99 

support his authority. A civil war ensued, which lete 
for a long time raged, with all its peculiar horrors, 
in Virginia. Jamestown was burned, and the 
country laid waste. At length Bacon died of a 
fever, and his followers, without a leader, were com- 
pelled to yield. 

41. Berkeley, with all the meanness and malig- 
nity of a tyrant and a coward, now that his ene- ^^"Jf^^ 
mies were in his power, determined to take fearful lerke-^ 
vengeance. The property of many was confisca- ^^' 
ted, and twenty-two executed. His revenge would 

not have stayed even here, had not his council 
urged him to stop the work of blood. 

42. His conduct was strongly condemned in 
England. The kind-hearted Charles II. with 
truth said, "The old fool has taken away more 
lives in that naked country, than I for the murder 

"When 

of my father." Berkeley went to England, and J^^j*® 
soon died, leaving his name to general execration. S^"re- 
In 1684, the grant which was made to Arlington ^^"^^^^ 
and Culpepper was recalled, and Virginia again 
became a royal province. 

From this time the colony gradually advanced whai la 

. said of 

in population and prosperity ; but until the break- JJfin[;j" 
ing out of the French and Indian war, but few of ^r- 
incidents of historical interest occurred within her ^^"'*' 
territory. 



100 MASSACHUSETTS. Parti. 

1 62Q 

CHAPTER III. 

MASSACHUSETTS. 

1. Mention has already been made of the 
w^hatis earlier discoveries of Massachusetts, and the form- 
thed?sso- ation of the Plymouth Company. This company 
moxm' ^^^ unsuccessful in forming a colony here, and in 
^yT^^- 1620 they were superseded by the Council of Ply- 
mouth, to whom was granted all the territory 
between the 40th and 48th degree of north lati- 
tude, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 
S^of^ 2. The first settlers of Massachusetts were a 
Bettierf band of Puritans, who, exposed to a fierce persecu- 
sachu-^" tion in their native land, on account of certain reli- 

setts? . 

gious views, and of refusing to comply with the 
tyrannical exactions of a bigoted king and corrupt 
government, rather chose a home in the wilder- 
ness, where they could at least worship God accord- 
ing to the dictates of their own consciences, than to 
give up principles which they believed were found' 
ed on the ".word of God." 

3. Their eyes were first turned toward Holland, 

but when they attempted to embark many of them 

Describe were scizcd and thrown in prison, by order of a 

Enjknd king who could not endure that his prey should 

removir thus easily escape from his hands. At length, in 

jand. 1608, they arrived in Amsterdam, and from thence 

proceeded to Leyden, where they formed a distinct 

society, under the care of their pastor, Rev. John 

Robinson. 



Chap. III. PILGRIMS LEAVE HOLLAND. 101 

4. By their piety and exemplary deportment, they i620 
acquired the respect and love of the magistrates 

and citizens, and but for the fear of offending King 
James, they would have met with public favor. 
After having resided eleven years in Leyden, they 
determined to remove. The language and manners 
of the Dutch were disagreeable to them ; they were Seed 
sufferinor from poverty ; and their children, sharing lel^ 

,11, 1 1 I .1 Holland? 

their parents' burdens, bowed under the weight, 
and became decrepid in early youth. Conscious 
of their abilities to act a higher part in. the great 
drama of humanity, they determined to emigrate to 
the New World. 

5. Mr. John Carver was accordingly sent to Eng- 
land to apply to the London Company for a g^ant 

of land in America, and to petition the king for [afrffrom 
liberty of religion, to be conferred under his broad dinc^m- 
seal. The errant was obtained, but the most they what 

^ , ' , -^ from the 

could derive from the king was an informal prom- ^"^^' 
ise of neglect. Having obtained two small vessels, 
the Speedwell, of sixty tons, and the Mayflower, i„ ^^ati 
of one hundred and eighty tons, Brewster, with as dflttJly 
many as could find room, prepared to embark. 
Robinson, with a large part of the congregation, 
remained behind. 

6. The parting scene was very affecting. They 
all knelt upon the ground and mingled their voices 



mg scene 
and the 
voyage. 



together in prayer, then arose, and with the tears the part- 
streaming down their cheeks, waved to each other 
an adieu, which they could not speak. They im- 
mediately proceeded to Southampton, in England, 
and after tarrying there for a fortnight, set sail foi 
America. They had proceeded but a short dis- 



102 MASSACHUSETTS. Parti. 

1620 tance on their voyage, when the Speedwell, owing 
to the weakness of the vessel, was obliged to re- 
turn, leaving the Mayflower to continue its course 
alone. 

7. Look for a moment upon that little vessel, 
careering upon the rough waves of the ocean, and 
tossing like a feather on its tempestuous bosom ; 
behold a germ which shall yet grow to a mighty 
tree — a spark, which, at some future day, will kin- 
dle a beacon on Bunker Hill, that will shine a 
pillar of fire to the world. Witness the guiding 

saidofan powcr of au ovcrruliuff Providence for those self- 

pverrul- a o 

Idln^eT denying men, and others who preceded and fol 
lowed them to different colonies, forging, uncon- 
sciously perhaps, the first link of that great chain 
ofcivil and religious freedom, which is yet to sur- 
round the earth. 

Where 8. Thcv exDcctcd to land near the Hudson, but 

did they . , r i i i • /» . i /. 

first dis- were carried so fer north that then* first siofht of 

cover o 

land? i^ni was the bleak shore of Cape Cod. They now 
What drew up a civil compact, signed by the whole body 
dXtoey of men, forty-one in number, in which they bound 

sign, and ; •" ^ ;. 

officers themselves to be obedient to all the ordinances 
choise^ made by the body. John Carver was appointed 
hnding? governor, and Miles Standish captain. 

9. They sailed alonsr the inner coast of the bay, 

Whatdid . "^ , . ^ ^^ 

in^^iaS Is^i^ding at different times to explore the country. 

{efent*^'^' At oiic placc they found a number of Indian graves, 

and a quantity of Indian corn buried in the ground. 

What is The weather was so intensely cold that the water 

Baid of '^ ^ 

wlather? fr^zc upou their clothes and made them like coats 
of ice. On the third morning, they found them- 
selves at the entrance of Plymouth harbor. Here 



rospect 
efore 
them? 



Cliap. III. FIRST AVINTER IN AMERICA. 103 

they determined to land and make their settle- 1020 
ment. 

10. The next day was the Sabbath. They rest- g«e7 ^''^ 
ed and kept it holy ; and there, for the first time, the"sab- 
on those ice-bound shores, were heard the voice 

of prayer and the song of praise, ascending to ^hen 
heaven. On the following day, the 21st of De- Jid^Jhey 
cember, they landed on Plymouth rock, naming it com-^"*^ 
from the last place they left in England. A dreary [{jf^jj^^f j 
prospect was before them ; on one side lay a vast 
wilderness covered wdth a snowy mantle, on the wis^fhe 
other, rolled the broad Atlantic, separating ihem Eefofe 
from their kindred and their native land ; yet then 
trust in God remained unshaken, for they knew j^/jjj^j;f 
that the same mighty power which watched over ^^'^''^• 
them on the stormy deep could still protect them. 

11. The freezing weather to w^hich they had 
been exposed sowed the seeds of consumption and 
inflammatory colds, and the bitterness of mortal 
disease was their welcome to these inhospitable ^,,^ ^ 

^ What 13 

shores. Their buildings Avent up slowly, for it was ?he1rsuf 
a difficult matter to erect them when one-half of duffifg 

_ . . the first 

then* number was wastmg away with consump- winter 7 
tion and fever. Week after week, during the whole 
of that dreary winter, they carried out one after an- 
other of their friends to their long homes ; and ere 
spring again smiled upon the earth, more than one- 
half their number, including the governor and his 
wife, lay buried on the shore. 

12. Until they could cultivate their ground and 
gather in their crops, they suffered much from want 
of food. At one time, they were reduced to a pint 
of corn, Avhich, being divided, gave only five ker- 



104 MASSACHUSETTS. Parti. 

J1620 nels to each individual. The living were hardly 
How able to take care of the sick and bury the dead 
Saf- Yet, durinsr all this season of sufferinsr, the cheer- 

flictions J to to? 

the"?et^^ ful confidence of the pilgrims in the mercies of 
tiers? Providence remained unshaken. After their first 
desolating sickness, and the gathering in of their 
crops, prosperity seemed to attend them. 

13. And here we cannot refrain from pausing to 

What draw a contrast between the pilgrims and the set- 
contrast , . -^. 
d?awV ^^^^'^ Virginia, ine latter were made up of a 

thelet- class of wild adventurers, destitute of piety and 

Ma'^s^a- thirsting for ffold. The former came, that they 

chusetts . , , . ^ 1 . 1 n ' 

and^^jr- might woi'ship God in peace ; and on first pressing 
the soil of the New World, their knees were bent 
in humble supplication and thanksgiving to their 
Maker. The foundations of their settlement were 
laid in prayer, and after their first severe trials had 
passed away, the smiles of that Being in whom 
they had trusted attended them. The latter, rent 
by internal dissensions, and their number constant- 
ly thinned by famine and the knife of the Indian, 
planted their colony in suffering and blood. 

14. When the pilgrims landed there were traces 
of a previous population, but no living inhabitants. 
A fearful disease had, a short time before, swept 
them all away or driven them farther back into the 
wilderness. Indians from abroad were occasionally 
discovered hovering around the settlement, butdis 
appearing when pursued. 

Give an 15- ^^^ length, after several months, Samaset, an 
Sf^the* Indian who had learned a httle Englisli of thefish- 
dian visit ermen at Penobscot, boldly entered the town, ex- 
J^Jj^^f, claiming — " Welcome, Englishmen." With the aid 



Chap. III. MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY. 105 

of this Indian they entered into a treaty of peace i62i 
with Massasoit, the great Sachem of the Wampe- >nrhai 
noasrs, in which *hey promised to abstain from mu- was^^ 

1 . . . 1 . 1 11 1 11 formed 

tual injuneSj and to aid each other when attacked J^^^^^^, 
imjustly. This treaty remained unbroken for more ^'''^' 
than half a century. 

16. Canonicus, the chief of the Narragansetts, 1622. 
dishking this intimacy betAveen the Enghsh and 
Massasoit, sent to Plymouth a bunch of arrows 
wrapped in a rattlesnake's skin, as a token of his 
hostility. The governor, after having filled the 
skin with powder and ball, returned it ; the cour- {^^^^iiity 
age of the Indian quailed, and he desired to be at non?c^us 

.^11 r subdued! 

peace with a race whose weapons 01 war were so 
terrible. 

17. In 1628 a settlement Avas made at Salem by 

a company under the charge of John Endicott. In what is 
the following spring he was. joined by Mr. White, a J^ation'of 
non-conformist minister of Devonshire, and about sach??-'''' 
one hundred emigrants. Through the influence coionyT 
of Lord Dorchester and the Earl of Warwick they 

•^ 1629. 

obtained a charter from Charles I., and were con- 
stituted a body politic under the name of the " Gov 
ernor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay 
Colony." 

18. The new colonists immediately began the what 
formation of their church. They elected a pastor, firltstepi 

taken by 

teacher, and elder; disencumbered their pubUcwor- J^^e^coio- 
ship of most of its ceremony, and reduced it to the 
lowest standard of Calvinistic simplicity. Forget- 
ting, in their religious zeal, that others had a right ]Sdlr^ 
to the enjoyment of the same Christian liberty as gS^^ 
themselves, those who refused to w^orship according 

5* 



106 MASSACHUSETTS. 



Parti. 



1630 to the ritual of their church were expelled from the 
colony. 

19. In the mean time, men of greater opulence 
the^G^v- ^nd higher rank, weary of the religious persecution 



ernment 



of the which harassed them in England, determined to join 

feS to ^'^^^^^^^^'^^^^^^^^^y^^'^^^y* Through their influ- 
America? g^ce, the govemmeut of the colony was transferred 
wTho from the company to America, and vested in mem- 
polnted bers who should reside in the country. John Win- 

Gover* 

nor? throp was appointed governor, and Thomas Dudly 
Howma- ^eputy govcmor. In tlie course of the following 
llerlS^e J^^^': fifteen hundred persons sailed for Massachu- 
vea^lnl setts ; but many of them, dissatisfied with Salem, 
fcttie^^^ settled at Boston, Charlestown, Roxbury, Dorches- 
ter, &c. 
^hat 20. In 1631 a law was passed at Charlestown 
p\Ysed?n providing for the election of the officers of govern- 
ment by freemen alone, but recognizing none as 
1634. freemen excepting church members. In 1634 the 
settlements had become so scattered that it was 
When found extremely inconvenient for all the freemen 
mSced to assemble and transact the necessary public busi- 



eentative ucss. The authority granted by the charter to 

form of 1111 r r Till 

menu" ^"^ wholc body of freemen, was accordingly dele- 
gated to twenty-four representatives. 

21. Notwithstanding the Puritans had suflfered 
so much for opinion's sake, yet the same religious 
slid^of^ intolerance prevailed among them as in the land 
Sns°and they had left. Roger Williams, a minister who had 
uon^oT come over from England to escape persecution, 
Wit- boldly maintained that toleration ouffht to be ffrant- 

liams? -^ , . 

ed to all sects ; that oaths of allegiance to the king 
and magistrates were wrong ; and that the colonial 



Chap. III. MRS. HUTCHINSON. 107 

charter was founded in injustice. For maintain- ^63 5 
ing these doctrineSj he was tried and banished from 
the colony. He shortly after settled at Providence, 
and became the founder of Rhode Island. leae. 

22. During the previous year three thousand 
new emigrants arrived; among the number were 
Henry Vane and Hugh Peters. Vane was a young S^^'^^^e 
man from one of the iSrst families in England, and ensuing 

^ ^ year, and 

possessed of brilliant talents and great piety ; affa- ^^.^^j. 
ble and winning in his manners and conversation, "mo^^" 
he so gained the affection of the colonists, that in ber? 
1636 he was appointed governor. But his popu- ^^^^^ .^ 
larity was of short duration ; for during his admin- ^^l^^f 
istration a religious controversy arose, which ended 
in destroying his influence in a great measure in 
the colony. 

23. Mrs. Hutchinson, a woman of considerable 
talent and eloquence, advanced certain doctrines what w 
which were considered by many as mystical ^^^d Mrs.^^.^ 
full of heresy. She opposed every form of despot- o?"her^ 
ism over the mind, and declared that the clergy of *^*^"''^'^^* 
Massachusetts were the ushers of persecution, who 

had not imbibed the true doctrine of Christian reform. 

24. Her opinions spread rapidly among the peo- 
ple, and were embraced by Governor Vane, Mr. 
Cotton and Mr. Wheelwright, two distinguished 
clergymen, and many other influential men. The ^^^[^^ 
majority of the people deemed her doctrines erro- {hel\tte\ 
neous, and she, with many of her followers, was againl? 
banished from the colony. Vane, disgusted at the 
bitter feeling which was manifested toward himself 

and the sect to which he belonged, in the following 
year returned to England. 



108 MASSACHUSETTS. Parti 

163 8 25. The persecutions of Charles I. induced many 

to emigrate to New England, that they might enjoy 
duceV"" the civil and religious liberty which was denied 
flle^V" them at home. Sir Arthur Haselrig and Ohver 

Cromwell had embarked, but were prevented leav- 
How was \xig the country on account of a proclamation issued 
Te^nted'^' by the king, prohibiting all emigration without 
coming? previous license. Thus the monarch kept at home 

the very persons who afterward led the way to his 

dethronement and death. 

26. The attention of the colonists was early 

turned to the subject of education, and in 1636 the 
i^id^of^ general court of Massachusetts appropriated about 
founding one thousand dollars for founding of a college, 
yard Col- whlch was accordiufflv established within the limits 

lege? ° -^ 

of Newtown. In 1638 John Harvard bequeathed 
to the institution about three thousand dollars. In 
honor of the donor, it received the name of Har- 
vard College. 
What 27. In 1643 Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecti- 

union of 7 J 7 

toik"^^^ cut and New Haven formed themselves into a con- 
fefafand federacy, called the "United Colonies of New Eng- 
purpose? land." Rhode Island, not willing to comply with 
the terms, was refused admission. This confede- 
racy, formed for mutual defense against the Indi- 
ans, French and Dutch, existed for more than forty 
years, and greatly strengthened the several settle- 
ments which were parties to it. 
What 28. The affairs of the confederacy were intrusted 

were the . . • • ^ /• i i 

\lSnl\f ^^ commissioners, consisting oi two irom each col 

fedemc"'? ^ny. Churctf membership was the only quahfica- 

tion required for the office. The commissioners 



Cliap. III. 



UNION OF COLONIES. 109 



were to assemble annually to transact the public msQ 
business of the colony. 

29. The contest in which the unfortunate Charles 
became engaged, and the revolution that followed, 

left the colonists, for the space of twenty years, ^^^at w 
nearly unmolested in the enjoyment of virtual in- the p?o- 
dependence. Plenty prevailed throughout the set- JJJJtg"^®^^" 
tlements. The wigwams and hovels, in which the 
English had first found shelter, were replaced by 
well-built houses. The number of emigrants, who 
had arrived in New England before the assembling 
of the Long Parliament, is esteemed to have been 
twenty-one thousand, two hundred. In a little 
more than ten years, fifty tow^ns and villages had 
been planted ; between thirty and forty churches 
built; and strangers, as they gazed, could but 
acknowledge God's blessing on the endeavors of the 
planters. 

30. In 1656 several (Quakers arrived in the colo- ^rj^^t i» 
ny, whose conduct gave great offence to the rigid tTeQua- * 
Puritans. A law was passed banishing them from 

the colony, and imposing the sentence of death 
upon those who should return. Several were exe 
cuted before this unjust and cruel law was repealed. 

31. In 1660 Charles II. ascended the throne, and 

was reluctantly acknowledged by the colonies in Scob? 
New England. They apprehended, with good rea- JJf Jj^^'^ 
son, the loss of their civil and religious privileges. sf^^"Jf 
The regicides who had condemned Charles I. to lu^^' 
death were sentenced to die, and all fell upon the 
scaffold excepting three, who escaped to America. 
Their names were Edward Whalley, William Goffe 
and John Dixwell. Whalley and Goffe arrived in 



110 MASSACHUSETTS. Pan I. 

1661 Boston, where Endicott, the governor, received them 
What is with courtesy. For nearly a year they resided, 
the regi- unmolested, within the hmits of Massachusetts ; 

cidc 

judges? but when warrants arrived from England for their 
1661. apprehension, they fled across the country to New 
Haven, where it was considered a crime against 
God to betray the wanderer or give up the outcast. 
Yet such diligent search was made for them, that 
they were never in security. For a time they re- 
moved in secrecy from house to house ; sometimes 
concealed themselves in a mill, sometimes in clefts 
of rocks by the sea-side, and for weeks togethei 
they dwelt in a cave near New Haven, which is 
still called the "Regicides' Cave." Great rewards 
were offered for their apprehension. Indians, as 
well as English, were urged to scour the woods in 
search of their hiding-place, as men hunt for the 
holes of foxes. 

32. When the zeal of the search was nearly 
over, they retired to a little village on the Sound, 

Their fu- |.jjj ^^ jg^g^. ^^^y. gg^aped by night to an appointed 

place in Hadley ; and the solitude of the most 
beautiful valley of New England gave shelter to 
their wearisome and declining age. At New Haven 
two graves are now shown, said to be those of the 
two judges. Their bodies were probably removed 
to this place from Hadley. 

John Dixwell was more fortunate. Changing 
his name, he became absorbed among the inhabit- 
ants of New Haven, and lived undiscovered. 

How did . ' 1' ' r 1 

wifS- ^^- ^^^ growmg and prosperous condition of the 
p?(iperi- colonies soon excited the avarice and jealousy of 
Mioniea? the government at home ; and they were not long 



Chap. Ill THE ROYAL COMMISSIONERS. Ill 

in renewing those commercial restrictions, from leei 
which they had been exempt during the time of 
the commonwealth. 

34. The importation of Em'opean commodities ^vhatty. 
into the colonies, except in EnHish ships from Enff- S? 
land, was prohibited ; the harbors were shut against J^^j^^^ 
the Dutch and every foreign vessel, and the colo- 
nists were even forbidden to manufacture those im. 
articles for their own wants, which might in any 
manner compete with the English. Thus were 

the commercial liberties of the rising States shack- 
led and the principles of natural justice subjected 
to the fears and avarice of the English people. 

35. In 1664 a fleet, equipped for the reduction ^gg^ 
of the Dutch settlements on the Hudson, arrived 

at Boston, bearing three commissioners charged to sKf 

, •I'll • • r ^he arri- 

mvestiffate the manner m which the provisions oi vai of 

^ ^ the royal 

the charters of New England had been exercised ; g-^S™^^; 
with full authority to provide for the peace of the 
country, according to the royal instructions and 
their own discretion. 

36. The colonists, viewing the appointment of 
the commissioners as uncalled for, and a violation 
of their charter, paid but little attention to theii 
acts. Massachusetts, from the first, descried the 
approach of tyranny ; and, professing sincere loy- 
alty, refused to acknowledge their authority, and 
protested against the exercise of it within their 
limits. In Connecticut and Rhode Island they re- 
ceived more favor ; but in Plymouth they were met 
with bold, decided opposition. Finding it impossi- 
ble to accomplish any thing, they were in a short 
time recalled. 



l12 MASSACHUSETTS. p^^^ j^ 

167 5 37. King Philip's War. Up to the breaking 
out of King Philip's war, the New England colo- 
^i^j^t ^i^s continued lo enjoy peace and prosperity. Their 
Btate^of population increased, and their settlements extend- 
nieg pre- ed far iuto the country ; but the clearness of their 

VJ0U3 to •^ ' 

breaking ^^Y ^"^^^ ^^ ^6 ovcrcast by the clouds of war, and 
maofthe ^j^^ quiet of their homes broken by the war-cry of 
the Indian and the dying shrieks of their wounded 
wives and children. 

38. In 1662 the aged Massasoit slept with his 
Who was fathers, and his son Philip, of Pokanoket, succeed- 
cessor^of ed him as chief over the allied tribes. During his 
BoftT" father's life, the treaty which had been made with 
the English shortly after their arrival remained 
unbroken ; but after his death, the feelings of the 
Indians were changed to hatred toward a race who 
were dispossessing them of their rich territory, and 
turning their beautiful hunting-grounds into pas- 
tures. Shortly after, an Indian missionary was' 
found murdered. Three Indians were identified, 

What ^ ' 

FeTto^ seized^ tried by a jury, of which one-half were In- 
thiswar? jj^^g^ and, on conviction, were hanged. The 
young men of the tribe panted for revenge, and 
urged Philip to commence a war against the whites. 
Yielding at length to their entreaties, he sent the 
women and children to the Narragansetts for pro- 
tection, and in July, 1675, attacked the Enghsh at 
Swanzey, killing a number of men. 
What 39. Phihp was thus hurried into hostilities, and 

feeiin|s^ he is reported to have wept as he heard that a 
<m the ^ white man's blood had been shed. Against his 

com- ^ " 

meiTof judgment and his will, he was involved in war. 
lief;''' He had no prospect of success. Destiny had 



Chap. III. KING PHILIP'S WAR. 113 

marked him and his tribe. The Enghsh \\^ere igts 
united; the Indians had no aUiance. The Eng- 
hsh had sure supplies of food ; the Indians might 
easily lose their precarious stores. The individual 
growing giddy by danger, rushes as it were toward 
his fate. So did the Indians of New England. 
Frenzy prompted their rising. It was but the 
storm in which the ancient inhabitants of the land 
were to pass away. They rose without hope, and, 
tlierefore, fought without mercy. For them, as a 
nation, there was no to-morrow. 

40. At the very beginning of danger, the colo- what 
nists exerted their wonted energy. Volunteers from the coio- 

^'' nists 

Massachusetts joined the troops from Plymouth, ^^^^^^^ 
and within a week from the commencement of werltho 
hostilities, the insulated Pokanokets were driven attackedi 
from Mount Hope. 

41. During the same month they were attacked 
in a swamp at Pocasset, now Tiverton, but repulsed 
their enemy with considerable slauarhter. Soon 

What is 

after, they fled westward and united with the Nip- f^''^ °^ 

' •' 1^ the union 

mucks, a tribe in the central part of Massachusetts, t/ibes® 
which Philip had induced to join him in his war p?osecu- 

11. T^i .1. 1 . lion of 

agamst the whites. Philip possessed a strong m- the wan 
fluence over most of the New England tribes; and 
now, banished from his patrimony, where the pil- 
grims found a friend, and from his cabin, which 
had sheltered the exiles, he, together with his war- 
riors, spread through the country, awakening their 
brethren to a warfare of extermination. In a short 
time a large number had joined his forces, and 
now commenced a war which, for cruelty and suf- 
fering, is unparalleled in colonial history. 



114 MASSACHUSETTS. Pa^^ I. 

1(5^,5 4.2. The Indians, fleet of foot, and convert^aat 
What of ^^^^^^ ^11 ^-he paths of the forest, never met the Eng 
manner hsh in Open fie^d, but hovered around their paths 
fare and and shot them down from places of conceahnent. 

their cru- *■ 

eities? Exploring parties were waylaid and cut ofl*, and 
the mangled carcasses and disjointed limbs of the 
dead were hung upon the trees, to terrify pursuers. 
The laborer in the field, the reapers as they went 
forth to the harvest, men as they w^ent to mill, were 
shot down by skulking foes, whose approach was 
invisible. 

43. The mother feared the tomahawk for herself 
and children, and was often compelled to fly with 
her child in her arms. Men carried their fire-arms 
into the field and to church, and when they return- 
ed to their homes would frequently find their dwell- 
ings a heap of ruins. 

44. Brookfield was set on fire ; Deerfield ■ was 
I^a^ces burned; Hadley, surprised during a time of reli- 
rtrJyedf' gious scrvicc, was saved only by the daring of 
S^Had- Gfoffe, the regicide, now bowed with years, a heav- 
Iti'pZt ^^^y messenger, who darted from his hiding-place, 
ervaion. j.^jjj^j ^|^^ disheartened, and having achieved a 

safe defense, sunk away into his retirement, to b^ 
no more seen. 

45. On the 28th of the same month, as a com- 
Describe pauy of young men, under the command of Capt. 
sacre at Lathrop, wcrc conveying the harvests of Deerfield 
Creek, ^q ^]^g lowcr towus, they were surrounded by a 

horde of Indians and nearly all destroyed* The 
little stream that winds through the tranquil scene 
is called •' Bloody Creek," to commemorate the mas- 
sacre of that day. 



Oliap. III. 



INDIAN MASSACRES. 115 



46. Pliilip, who had been prosecuting the war in 1C575 
the western part of Massachusetts, having accom- 
plished all that could be done there, returned to ^^^^^ 
Rhode Island, for the purpose of obtaining the aid phiifp'^at 
of the Narragansetts. In this scheme he succeed- ol"ain, 
ed, and, with' 3,000 Indians, fortified himself in the ^^.J^^jf^ 
centre of an immense swamp in the southern part fnSm^p? 
of Rhode Island. The island on which he had ""^^ 
stationed himself, he surrounded with palisades, 

and here, with plenty of provisions, considered him- 
self safe from any enemy. 

47. The English determined to attack him, and 
accordingly raised fifteen hundred men from the forces 
colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth and Connec- raised to 

^ '' oppose 

ticut, and sent them thither under the command ^^"'• 
of Josiah Winslow. On a stormy day in the month 
of December, after having spent a night in the 
open air, and waded a long distance through the 
snow, they arrived in front of the Indian camp. 

48. A body of water lay between the fort and 
the English, across which the trunk of a tree had 
fallen. Over this they endeavored to pass, but in 
making their way a large number was shot down. 

In the mean time, a small force having- detached ^ , 

' ® Describe 

itself from the main body, pasfsed around to the t^^^^®'^*' 
rear of the fort, and wading through the swamp, 
broke the feeble pahsades. and rushing in, set fire 
to the cabins, and were immediately masters of the 
place. In this bloody battle, which continued for 
three hours, one thousand Indian warriors were 
killed, and a large number taken prisoners. Of 
the whites, six captains and eighty men were killed, 
and one hundred and fifty wounded. 



116 MASSACHUSETTS. Pait I 

I6t6 49. Winter had just commenced, and Philip, 
~~~ with the remnant of his forces, now without shel- 
wSeThe ter from the cold, scattered themselves over the 
atthr country, and burning with revenge, continued the 
mlHrof w^^* wi^'^ energy and spirit. Many a New Eng- 
tef? '^'"" land village was clothed in mourning; many a 
whatdid town laid in ashes. Several detachments were sent 
out against him, under Capt. Church, of Plymouth, 
^^%' and Capt. Dennison, of Connecticut, and during the 
llainst year, two or three thousand Indians were killed, or 
and with submitted. Philip refused to hear of peace, and 

what re- ^ , , ^ ' 

«wi»' was chased from one hiding-place to another. 

50. At length, after the absence of a year, he re- 
Describe solved to meet his destiny, and returned to the 
tives"?hat beautiful land where were the graves of his fore- 
Phjjjp's fathers, the cradle of his infancy, and the nestling- 
manne? pl^ce of his tribe. Once he escaped narrowly, 
death.^ leaving his wife and only son as prisoners. ^' Now," 

said he, in an agony of grief, "my heart breaks; 
now I am ready to die." He was shortly after sur- 
rounded by a party under Capt. Church, and in 
attempting to fly was shot by a faithless Indian, 
who had deserted his chief and gone over to the 
English. 

51. His son, a prince cherished as the future 
sachem of the tribes, was sold into a bondage bit- 

miatbe- t^i* ^s death, and compelled to drag out his life ay 
htfs^on a slave, under the sun of Bermuda. So perished 
remnant the oriuces of the Pokanokets. After the death 

of his fol- I 

lowers? ^f Philip^ the remnant of his followers either sub- 
mitted to the English or united with distant tribes. 

52. During the war more than six hundred 
houses were burned, and six hundred men perished 



Chap. III. 



ROYAL GOVERNOR. 117 



in the field. There was scarcely a family in the leys 
colony, from which death had not selected a victnu. ^^^^^ ^^ 
Although burthened with a heavy debt, which had IftcAsot 
been contracted daring the war, they refused to 
apply to England for assistance. This omission what of 
excited surprise and jealousy. "You act," said a pen.^es^ 
privy counselor, "as though you were independent 
of our master's crown, and though poor, yet you 
are proud." 

53. The people of Massachusetts, believing that 

the commercial restrictions which had been impo- Se^colo- 
sed on them at different times, were unjust and a treat the 
violation of then* charter, paid but little attention l^l,'^' 
to them. This had given great offence to the ^'°"^- 
mother-country, and in 1681 Edward Randolph what of 
was sent over as inspector of the customs of New Ran-^^' 
England. He was strongly opposed by the colo- 
nists, and in a short time returned. This disobe- J^^^^lf 
dience served as a pretext for the king to enter form^aid 
upon a design which he had long entertained of wM"it 
taking away the charter from the colony ; but in jp^o^ef- 
1685 he died, leaving his scheme to be completed 
by his successor, James XL 

54. In 1686 the charter of Massachusetts was 
taken away, and Sir Edmund Andros appointed ^^^' 
governor of all New England. One after another, whati? 
the colonies reluctantly submitted to this tool of an Andros 
arbitrary king. His administration was full of acts frlucn? 
of oppression, and so thoroughly was he hated by 

the colonists, that he was called the tyrant of New 
England. 

55. In 1689 intelligence reached Boston that 
James II. had been driven from his throne, and was 



118 MASSACHUSETTS. Parti. 

1(589 succeeded by William, of Orange. They immedi- 
His im. ^tely rushed to their arms, took possession of the 
menTand fort, scizcd Andros and other obnoxious individu- 
Engiand? als, seut them to England for trial, and again re- 
sumed their old form of government, 
wi'sihe ^^' King William's War. James, on being 
Kingwu- driven from England, repaired to France. This 
vv^i?/ nation espousing his cause, a war ensued between 
. the tw^o powers, which in a short time extended to 

What in- T ^ . 

roads of the colonies in North America. In 1689 the French 
and"in- ^nd ludiaus fell upon the northern colonies, and 
shortly the contest soon became general. During this 
mince""' year Major Walden, with twenty persons, was slain 
Se"war^? ^t Dovci', in Ncw Hampshire. 

57. In the ensuing year, the settlement at Casco, 
in Maine, was attacked ; Schenectady, in New 

pedition York, was burned, and its streets drenched with 

was sent ^ 

the'"ene- blood. Massachusctts deemed it necessary to re- 
wfth^""^ sort to retaliation, and fitted out an expedition 
suit^ '^^ under Sir William Phipps, which proceeded to Nova 
Scotia and captured Port Royal. The same year, 
Massachusetts and New* York united their forces 
for the purpose of subjugating Canada. They 
proceeded to Quebec and attempted to reduce 
the place, but failed in their object and returned 
home. 

58. In 1692 a new charter was granted to Mas- 
When sachusetts, which added Plymiouth, Maine and 
S'ew * Nova Scotia to her territory. Sir William Phipps 
IS"wh4t ^^^ appointed governor; and one of his first acts, 
of^the"^ on coming into power, was to institute a court to 
SMhl"^^ try the victims accused of witchcraft at Salem. 

59. In England, the belief in witchcraft had be- 



Cliap. III. SALEM WITCHCRAFT. 119 

come so prevalent, that parliament had passed an ^69^ 
act punishing the crime with death. Under this ^hauT 
law numbers had been tried and executed in that ^^ith- 
country, and two or three in Massachusetts. England, 

60. In Salem village, now Danvers, there had f^l^'f^f^ 
been, between Samuel Parris, the minister, and a ««^o"^^»' 
part of his people, a strife so bitter that it had even 
attracted the attention of the general court. The 
delusion of witchcraft would give opportunities of 
terrible vengeance. In February, 1692, his daugh- 
ter and niece began to have strange caprices. The 
physicians, who could make nothing of their con- 
tortions, pronounced them bewitched, in which 
opinion Mr. Parris concurred. An old Indian 
woman was whipped until she confessed herself a 
witch. Several private fasts were kept in the fam- 
ily, and a general fast throughout the colony. 

61. The delusion spread rapidly ; parents ac- 
cused their children, and children their parents, 
and a word from those supposed to be afflicted, oc- 
casioned the arrest of the devoted victini ; so that 
the prisons were soon filled. 

62. At first, the victims were confined to the 
lower class; but, emboldened by success, many of 
those moving in the higher circles were accused 
and convicted. Among the rest was a magistrate 
of great talent, and George Burroughs, a minister 
of unexceptionable character ; both were tried and 
executed. 

63. At length the eyes of community began tsz Howwa. 
be opened ; each felt alarm for himself, his family {erml^**^ 
and friends, and they examined more closely "^^ 
into the nature of the evidence which was ad- 



120 MASSACHUSETTS. Part X. 

1693 duced. The current of popular opinion began to 
turn, and in a short time the governor reprieved 
those who were condemned, and directed that all 
who were in prison should be set at liberty. Du- 
ring the delusion twenty persons had been exe- 
cuted, fifty-five tortured, and several hundreds im- 
prisoned. 

When The hostilities between the French and Indians 

was 

ciTred'^^' and the English continued until 1697, when peace 
EliSnd was declared between England and France. 
France? 64. QuEEN Anne's War. Iu 1701 England 
What became embroiled in a war with France and Spain. 
followed Hostihties immediately commenced in the colonies. 
mlnce"^^ Dcerficld was attacked, forty persons killed, and 

ment of 5 J r j 

Anne"s ^^01'^ than ouc huudrcd made prisoners. Scenes 
^^'^* of cruelty and blood, like those we have just re- 
counted, were renewed in different parts of the col- 
onies. 
What 65. In 1710 New England, assisted b)^ a fleet 
place in fumishcd by the mother-country, took possession 
of Port Royal, in Nova Scotia, and changed its 
What in name to Annapolis. In 1711 Admiral Walker, 
with fifteen ships of war and forty transports, car- 
rying a large number of troops, sailed from Boston 
for the purpose of subjugating Canada. Shortly 
after their departure nine of the transports were 
wrecked in a terrible storm, and more than one 
thousand men perished. 

66. Weakened and disheartened by this misfor- 

When ^ 

where tuuc, the admiral gave up the expedition and re- 

p^e^ce turned to England. In 1713 peace was concluded 

Biuded? between France and England at Utrecht, and 

shortly after hostilities ceased with the Indians. 



Cnap. III. KING GEORGE'S WAR. 121 

For the space of thirty years from this time, till the i7'44 
commencement of King George's war in 1744, the 
settlements were unmolested by the Indians. 

67. During this time no event of importance oc- ^yhatia 
curred. Through the administration of three of Iheiong 
the royal governors, a bitter quarrel was carried on ^{jjj^^g^, 
between them and the representatives of the peo- 
ple. The governor insisted upon being allowed a 
permanent salary ; this the representatives objected 

to, but they finally consented to vote a certain sum 
annually in the room of it. 

68. King George's War. In 1744 the friendly 1744. 
relations which had for a time existed between 
France and Ens^land, were broken by disputes rela- was the 

o J ./I cause of 

tive to Austria. War was declared between the G^ofge's 
two nations, and the French and English colonies ^^^" 
in North America joined in the contest. 

69. The first important place which was attacked 
during the war was Louisburg, a French post 
strongly fortified, situated on Cape Breton. The what 
commerce and fisheries of the colonies suffered great figt^ 
injury from privateers fitted out from this port; and ^^^^^^^ 
Governor Shirley of Massachusetts resolved on an ^^0 
enteiprise for its reduction. The expedition was tSam 
resolved upon in the legislature by a majority of 

one vote. 

70. Solicited to render assistance, New York sent 

a small supply of artillery, and Pennsylvania of who 
provisions. New England furnished the men ; of ^ssi|^- 
whom Connecticut raised five hundred, New Hamp- 
shire three hundred and four, and Massachusetts 
three thousand volunteers. 

71. In April, 174.5, these forces, under the com- 

6 



122 MASSACHUSETTS. part L 

IT 415 tnand of William Pepperell and Roger Wolcott, sot 
Who sail for Louisburg. Shortly after their arrival at 
m^ded Canseau, where they were detained a number of 

the . 

forces i days from the ice, they were fortunately joined by 
the squadron of Commodore Warren. On the 11th 
of May, an hour after sunrise, the combined forces 
came in sight of Louisburg. Its walls, raised on a 

Describe lieck of land on the south side of the harbor, forty 

Louis- ^ "^ 

^^^^' feet thick at the base, twenty to thirty feet high, 
were furnished with one hundred and one cannon 
seventy-six swivels, and six mortars ; its garrison 
was composed of sixteen hundred men. 

72. The day after the landing of the English, a 
detachment of four hundred men under William 
Vaughan marched by the city, and took post near 
the north-east corner. The French who held the 
royal battery, struck with panic, spiked the guns, 
and fled in the night. The English immediately 

descrip- took possession of it, removed the spikes from the 
ihesiege. guns, and turned them upon the city. Batteries 
were erected at the west and south-west of the city, 
and the cannon dragged over the boggy morasses 
upon sledges, drawn by the men with straps over 
their shoulders. Another battery was erected near 
the north cape of the harbor, on the Light-house 
Cliflf; while, within two hundred yards of the city 
trenches had been thrown up near an advanced 
post, w^hich, with the guns from the royal battery, 
played upon the north-west gate of Louisburg. 

73. The Vigilant, a French ship of sixty-four 
guns, laden with military stores, was captured by 
the fleet under Warren within sight of the city 

. On the 28th of June the governor sent out a flag 



ciiap. IV. KING George's war, 123 

of truce, and surrendered the fortress and the whole 1745 
island. This was the greatest success achieved by- 
England during the war. France planned its re- whl^ 
covery and the desolation of the English colonies ; did 

•^ ° ' France 

but in 1746j the large fleet from France, under the f^r^. 
command of the Duke d'Anville, wasted by storms, "^^ 
and shipwrecks, and pestilential diseases, was com- 
pelled to return without having struck a blow. 

74. The war was finally closed in 1748, by the when 
treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which restored all the If^^lf- 
territory acquired by either party during the war to 
its former possessors. Thus, with the exception 
of the expenditure of a vast amount of wealth, and 
the loss of many valuable lives, the two countries 
remained the same as at the commencement of 
hostilities. 



CHAPTER IV. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

1. The colonial history of New Hampshn*e is 1622. 
intimately blended with that of Massachusetts ; it 

•^ ^ What is 

having been a part of that colony until 1680, when thi"^ early 
it was made a royal province by the king. A brief New'^**' 
sketch of its separate history, therefore, will only shlre^' 
be necessary. 

. When 

2. The first settlements were made in 1623 at and bj 

whom 

Little Harbor and Dover, by a company of emi- ^,ft%^^? 
grants sent out by Oapt. John Mason and Sir Fer- ma^?** 



124 NEW HAMPSHIRE. Part I. 

1623 dinand Gorges, two influential members of the 
Plymouth council, from which they had just re- 
ceived large grants of land north of Massachu- 
setts. 
What is 3. In 1629 Rev. John Wheelwright purchased 
IhepL the country between the Merrimac and Piscataqua 

chase of. /.itt ti i 

wheeN rivcrs, of the Indians. In the same year, but at a 

later date, this territory, extending sixty miles back 

from the sea, was granted to Mason alone, and then 

first called New Hampshire. For several years 

each town remained distinct and independent ; but 

in 1641, fearing their own weakness, they placed 

themselves under the protection of Massachusetts. 

^^^^' 4. In 1675 Robert Mason, a grandson of John 

What is Mason, applied to the king to obtain possession of 

Mason? ^^^ territory granted to his ancestor. Notice was 

given to Massachusetts, and the parties heard by 

the king, but no decision given to affect the land 

Ne^w* ^^ titles. In 1680 New Hampshire became a separate 

fihl^asa province, to be governed by a president and council 

separate ^ . , , , , . i i 

province? appomtcd by the kmg, and a house oi representa- 
tives chosen by the people. 
1680. 5. In 1680 the first assembly met at Portsmouth, 
and adopted a code of laws, which declared, " that 
no act, imposition, law or ordinance should be im- 
posed upon the inhabitants of the province, but 
such as should be made by the assembly and ap- 
proved by the, president of the council." 

6. In the following year, Robert Mason arrived in 

the colony, and assuming the title of lord protector, 

Z\f'of l^id claim to all the lands granted to his grand- 

ciSms?^ father. The colonists refused to acknowledge these 

claims, and although Mason frequently prosecuted 



ciiap. IV. mason's claims. 125 

them J )^et he was never able to recover anything, lesi 
so very unpopular had he become. 

7. In 1690 New Hampshire united with Massa- 
chusetts, but at the expiration of two years separated 
from her, and was formed into a royal province. 
They were again united in 1699, and continued 
under one governor, having separate legislative as- 
semblies, until 1741. 

8. The heirs of Mason, in 1691, weary with the 
contention to which their claims to lands in New Zldlr^ 

til 6 SrIo 

Hampshire gave rise, sold them to Samuel Allen ; of Ma- 
but he was as unsuccessful in obtaining rents from claims? 
them as his predecessor. In 1746 one of the 
descendants of Mason renewed the original claim, Snewal 
and conveyed the territory granted to his ancestor of theii 
to twelve persons for fifteen hundred pounds. These again? 
persons, in a short time, voluntarily relinquished 
their claim to lands already occupied. 

9. From this time, the vexed land disputes ceased, 

and the people settled down in the quiet enjoy- ^j^^^ „ 
ment of their possessions. New Hampshire suffer- sSJo^f 

. . New 

ed alike, with many of the other colonies, during Hamp 
the bloody French and Indian wars ; but as we 
have already noticed them in another place, it will 
not be necessary to recapitulate here. 



126 CONNECTICUT. Part I. 

1630 

CHAPTER V. 

CONNECTICUT. 

1. In 1630 the territory of Connecticut was 
granted by the Plymouth council to the Earl of 
^haus Warwick, and transferred by him in 1631 to Lord 
gmnt^of Say and Seal, Lord Brooke, John Hampden and 
tkutT" others. The grant extended from the Atlantic 
westward to the Pacific ocean. The same year, 
the Indians living in the valley of Connecticut, 
d1d'"t!fe wishing to cultivate a friendly feehng with the 
toaSt? English, invited the Plymouth colony to make a 
settlement on their lands. Governor Winslow ac- 
cordingly visited the country and selected Windsoi 
as the site of their future settlement. 
1633. 2. The Dutch at New York, when informed of 
this project of the English, determined to secure 
B^eps did ij^Q territory for themselves, and sent out a party in 
teke^to 1633, who erected a slight fort at Hartford, on which 
theterri- thcv planted two cannon. A few months later, in 

tory? -^ ^ ' 

the same year, a company at Plymouth sent out 
in a small vessel, commanded by Capt. Holmes, 
materials for the erection of a trading-house ai 
Windsor. 

3. As Holmes, was sailing leisurely up the river 
What is P^st the fort at Hartford, he was hailed by the 
Holmes Dutch with " licave to, or we'll fire." "Fire if you 
Sadin^- ^^^*'^?" ^^'^s ^be cool reply of Holmes, who was soon 
winLm ^^*^ of reach of their guns, and safe at Windsor, 
where the trading-house was immediately erected 



Cliap. V. ARRIAAL OF WINTHROP. 127 

In the following year, die Dutch sent a party of 1^34 
seventy to drive them from the country ; but find- ~~ 
ing them strongly posted, they returned in peace. 

4. In the autumn of 1635, the younger Winthrop 
arrived from England, with a commission from the 
proprietors to erect a fort at the mouth of the Con- 
necticut river, and make the necessary prepara- 
tions for a settlement. Shortly after the fort ^^!^^^,fj[* 
was erected, a party of Dutch arrived in vessels efecu^on 
from New York, but were not permitted to land. ?brt\^t 
The settlement was called Saybrook, in honor of i^rook. 
the owners of the territory. 

5. During the summer of 1635, settlements had 
been made by emigrants from the environs of Boston 
at Windsor and Weathersfield ; and late in the au- 
tumn, a company of sixty men, women and children, 
began their march to the west. The winter was so Describe 
early and severe, that provisions could not arrive bv grli&T' 

•'. ' ^ . " from 

the river, and the men suffered such privations that f^^^^^^^ 
many of them, in the depths of winter, waded 
through the snows to the sea-board. Early in the 
following spring. Rev. Thomas Hooker, with a com- 
pany of about one hundred, started from Cam- 
bridge, and proceeded through the wilderness until 
they arrived, after a journey of two weeks, at Hart- 
ford, where they formed a settlement. 

6. In the vicinity of the river Thames resided 

the Pequods, a fierce and w^arlike tribe, who had sa.dof ^ 

^ ^ ^ 'the Pe- 

frequently shown a hostile spirit toward the infant ^""*^^- 
settlements. In 1636 they attacked and murdered ,g3g 
Mr. Oldham. An expedition was sent against them 
by Massachusetts, which was ineffectual, and only ouJnIes 
served to excite their hatred and revenge. They whircs? 



128 CONNECTICUT. 



Part 1. 



163T now sought an alliance with the Narragansetts and 
Of their the Mohegans, that, by a general rising, they might 
iTm-^' sweep the hated intruders from the ancient hunt- 

ance 

Na^a-^® ing-grounds of their race. The conspiracy was 
gansetts? (jjggolyed by the interference of Roger Williams. 
Of the 7. In 1637 continued injuries and murders roused 
rion^ " Connecticut to action, and the general court decreed 

against . 

them? immediate war. A force of eighty English, prin- 
cipally from Connecticut, and seventy friendly Mo- 
hegans, was placed under the command of Captain 
John Mason, who, with this small force, sailed 
down the river, and shortly after, entered Narra 
gansett bay. Here they landed, and, guided by a 
Pequod deserter, proceeded across the country to- 
sai/o? ward the principal fort of their enemy, situated on 
dian fort? the wcst side of the Mystic river, where they ar- 
rived about sunrise on the morning of the 5th of 
June. 

8. As they approached the fort a watch-dog gave 
the alarm, but before the Indians could fairly arouse 

oftheat- themselves from their slumbers, Mason, followed by 

the re- hisbrave band, was in their midst, dealing tiis dcath- 

blows around. The Indians rallied and fought their 

enemy hand to hand ; but their bows and arrows 

could poorly resist weapons of steel. 

9. At length, Mason finding that victory was 
tardy on account of their superior numbers, shouted, 
"We must burn them," and cast a firebrand to the 
windward among the light mats of the Indian 
cabins. The English had hardly time to with- 
draw and surround the place, before the whole en- 
campment was ir a blaze. If they attempted to 
escape from the burning inclosure, they were 



Cliap. V. PEaUOD WAR. 129 

cut down by the English swords. The carnage 1^3^ 
was complete. About six hundred Indians, men, ~* 
women and children, perished, most of them in 
the conflagration. The work of destruction was 
finished in about an hour, with the loss of only- 
two of the English soldiers. 

10. The remnant of the Pequod tribe Avas pur- 
sued into their hiding-places ; every wigwam was 
burned, and every corn-field laid waste. Their 
sachem was murdered by the Mohawks, to whom 

he had fled for protection ; and the few that sur- ^y^atbe 
vived, about two hundred, were enslaved by the fh^rem- 
English, or incorporated among the Mohegans and the pe*^ 
Narragansetts. There remained not one of the ^"^e' 
Pequod name. A nation had disappeared from the 
family of men. From this time, the colonists en- 
ioyed for many years a season of peace and pros- 
perity. 

11. In 1638 a colony sprung up at New Haven, ms. 
under the guidance of the Rev. John Davenport 

^ What is 

and Theophilus Eaton, who had arrived at Boston if^^ ^^ 
the year before from Europe. Their first Sabbath [foToV 
was spent in no temple reared by man, but under veTcoio- 
a branching oak, while Davenport taught his little 
flock that, like the Son of Man, they were led into JJ^'^S;^,? 
the Avilderness to be tempted. fp^illtT* 

12. On the following day, they rested their gov- 
ernment upon the simple declaration, that " all of 
them would be ordered by the rules which the Zld^Jr 
Scriptures held forth to them ;" and when, on the gov?m 
succeeding year, some of the planters desired a 
more perfect form of government, they held their 
constituent assembly in a barn, and declared that 



130 CONNECTICUT. Part 1, 

1638 t'^® Bible should be their only law book, and that 
church members only should be free buigesses. 

13. Meanwhile their pleasant villages spread 
What of along the sound, undisturbed by the natives, of 
prosperi- whom the land had been fairly purchased. Mr. 

Eaton was annually elected governor of the colony 
for twenty years, until his death, and to his wise 
administration, under the providence of God, they 
were indebted for their unusual prosperity. 

14. In Jan., 1639, the freemen of the settlement? 
^entoc- upon the Connecticut river, who had heretofore ac- 
vs^r^^^ knowledged the authority of Massachusetts, assem- 
bled at Hartford, and adopted a constitution for 
themselves. It was ordained that the governor and 
all public officers should be elected annually by the 
people, and that in the assembly alone should lie 

Describe ^ ^ ^ -^ 

constitu- ^^^ power of making or repealing laws. Thus did 
*^^^' the colonists, by these wise regulations, early show 
their firm attachment to the principles of liberty 
and justice. 

15 A dispute, of so bitter a nature as to threaten 

hostilities, had long existed between the English 

and Dutch respecting the boundary line of their ter- 

1650. ritories. In 1650 Governor Stuy vesant visited Hart- 

., ford, and entered into a treaty with the English, in 

Describe ' . . 

^Mjea- which the Dutch were to relinquish their claim to 
Dtttch. the territory of Connecticut, except the lands they 
actually occupied. 
1660. 16. Upon the overthrow of the Commonwealth 
and the re-establishment of Monarchy in England, 
the inhabitants of Connecticut proclaimed the new 
king, and petitioned through Winthrop, their Gov- 
ernor, for a royal charter. Winthrop repaired to 



CKap. V. ROYAL CHARTER* 131 

England, and securing the interest of Lord Say and i662 
Seal obtained an ample charter, confirming the con- how^ 
stitution which they had previously adopted, and chtrter** 
connecting Hartford and New Haven in one colo- and what 

^ was its 

ny, of which the limits extended from the Narra- J^f/^°- 
gansett bay to the Pacific ocean. 

17. The sale of a portion of those lands has given 

to Connecticut its valuable school fund, through fund waa 

" derived 

which education is placed within the reach of all. ^'om a 

A portion 

For a number of years New Haven refused to unite find'sT® 
with Hartford, but in 1665, fearful of being joined to 
some other colony, she reluctantly gave her consent. 

18. In 1687, Sir Edmund Andros arrived at Bos- ^,,, 
ton with a commission from James appointing him tSTpvei- 
governor of all New England. In the autumn of imf 
the same year, he proceeded to Connecticut attend- 

ed by some of his council and an armed guard, and J^^^nd^^^ 
on his arrival, finding the assembly in session, de- vil ^["* 
rnanded the immediate surrender of its charter. 

19. The assembly was alarmed, and pleaded Describe 

•^ ^ ' *^ the scene 

long and earnestly for their cherished patent. The s^J^.^"* 
discussion was prolonged until late in the evening, 
when the charter was produced and laid on tlie 
table, a large number of citizens being present. On 
a sudden the lights were extinguished, and when 
rekindled the charter had disappeared. Joseph 
Wadsworth had concealed the precious document 
in the hollow of an oak tree, which is still standing, 
and from this circumstance called the charter oak. 
Andros, however, assumed the government and con- ^ ^ 
tinned in his office until the dethronement of James, AnSrS* 
when he was deposed, and Connecticut resumed iThl""* 

, ^ ° office) 

her former governmenU 



132 CONNECTICUT. 



Pari 1, 



1693 20. After this, no attempt to infringe upon her 

rights occurred until 1693, when Colonel Fletcher, 

For what who had been previously appointer* governor of 

rfeteher New York, with authority to take command of the 

Hartford? militia of Connecticut, appeared at Hartford and 

demanded that they should be placed under his 

command. This being contrary to the charter of 

the colony, the governor refused, but in compliance 

with his request, ordered the militia to assemble on 

the green. 

21. Fletcher now attempted to read his corn- 
Describe 

seine niission, but Capt. Wadsv/orth ordered the drums to 
miiitk^^ beat, so that nothing could be heard. Fletcher 
commanded silence and again began to read. 
^' Drum, drum, I say," said Wadsworth, and the 
voice of the reader was again drowned in the noise. 
The colonel again demanded silence, and Wads- 
worth again shouted, " Drum, drum," then turning to 
Fletcher with meaning in his looks, he said, "If I am 
interrupted again, I will make the sun shine through 
you in a moment." Deeming it unwise to contend 
with such a spirit, Fletcher returned to New York, 
and never again troubled Capt. Wadsworth or the 
Connecticut militia. 

22. Education was cherished in Connecticut as 
the great source of freedom, and religious knowledge 
carried to the highest degree of perfection. In 1700 

sai/of^ Yale College 'was founded at Saybrook by a party 
the"foSn- ^f clergymen, but was soon after removed to New 
Yai?" °^ Haven. It derived its name from Ehhu Yale, who 
"° ^^^" made several donations to the institution. For 
nearly a century, with transient interruptions, the 
republican institutions of Connecticut were un- 



Cliap. VI. ROGER WILLIAMS. * 1*^3 

iiarmed, and peace and prosperity were within its lesc 
borders. 



CHAPTER VI. 

RHODE ISLAND. 

1. Roger Williams, the pastor of a church in „,^ 

' r^ Who was 

Salem, Massachusetts, having rendered himself founder 
obnoxious to the Puritans from certain religious ?sian(f! ^ 
views which he entertained, was banished from 
the colony. Early in 1636, he left Salem in winter, le^s. 
durino^ snowy and inclement weather, of which he 

o *' ^ ' What led 

remembered the severity in his old age. For fourteen ^^^Jl^. 
weeks he wandered in the wilderness, often without }?om 
a guide, and with no house but a hollow tree. But chusett?. 
he was not without friends, for Massasoit and Ca- 

' Describe 

nonicus, whose cause he had advocated, welcomed ^f/^"^^' 
him with warm hearts to their cabins. Until his 
death, he remained the firm friend of their tribes, 
and was ever regarded by them with the warmest 
affection. 

2. He first commenced a settlement at Seekonk, where 
but was soon informed by Governor Winthrop, that tirstcom 

•^ ^ ^ ^ mence a 

he was within the patent of Plymouth, and advised ^^^^^• 
to steer his course to the Narragansett bay. He Slce^cT* 
accordingly with five companions, embarked in a remove" 
frail canoe, and sailed down the Narragansett 
river, until he reached Moshassuck. where he land- didhe'^at 
ed, and having bought the land of the Indians, f^^ 
formed his settlement, which in token of his un- Senn 



134 • RHODE ISLAND. Parti 

1636 broken confidence in the mercies of God lie called 

Providence. 
3. He founded the colony on the broadest principles 

of civil and religious liberty, making his govern- 
whatis ment a pure democracy, where the will of the ma- 

Rd-id of 

[hejegu^ jority should govern the State in civil things, God 
ny^and^" aloue being respected as the ruler of conscience. 
Lcter of' He labored long and earnestly for the temporal and 
liams? spiritual good of the Indians, and manifested a 
friendly feeling toward the people of Massachusetts, 
who had banished him, giving them the first inti- 
mation of the conspiracy of the Pequods for their 
destruction, and at the peril of his own life, went 
among the hostile tribes and succeeded in breaking 
up their designs. 
1638. ^. In 1638, William Coddington and seventeen 
others, di iven by relio^ious persecution from Massa- 

What is ' *^ * ^ 

the'^set- chusetts, fomicd a setttlement at Portsmouth, upon 
on^'fhe the island of Aquetnac, now called Rhode Island, 
Aq^i"et° which they had purchased from the Indians. Cod- 
dington was chosen governor. The toleration of 
all Christian sects and the democracy of the gov- 
ernment attracted many emigrants from the adja- 
cent settlements. Newport was founded the next 
year, and the settlements on this beautiful island 
vapidly increased. 

5. As yet, Jlhode Island had no royal charter, and 

when the New England colonies formed theii 

^hy memorable confederacy in 1643, she was refused 

was this -^ ' 

refS admittance unless she would submit to the juris- 
tei!i?e "in- diction of Plymouth. This she declined doin^, 

to the . '^ . . , , 

gevv preferrmg to remam m her present state, rather 



England 

conf( 

racy 



confede- ^j^^^^^ jj^ ^^^^ ^f dependence. In the following 



Chap. VI. ROYAL CHARTER. 135 

year, Williams having visited England for that pur- 1044 
pose obtained of the Plymouth Company a patent 
of the territory, and permission to institute a 
government for the colonists. In 1647, delegates 
elected by the people, held a general assembly at 
Portsmouth, organized their government, and es- 
tablished a code of laws. 

6. In 1663, Rhode Island and Providence 
plantations obtained a royal charter, which con- what is 

tmued m force with but one short mterrup- ^^J^^^f 
tion until 1842. The governor, members of the 
legislature, and all public officers, were to be 
elected by freemen, and no person within the col- 
ony could be molested or called in question for any 
difference in opinion in matters of relisrion. 

Wha.t is 

7. When Andros became governor over the New yi^roij 
England colonies, he dissolved the charter govern- 
ment of Rhode Island, but three years after when 
deposed from his office, the freemen assembled at 
Newport, and resumed their old charter. In 1730, Brown 
Brown University was founded by Nicholas sity) 
Brown, who gave to the institution five thousand 
dollars. 



136 



Part T. 




LANDING OF THE DUTCH. 



1609 



CHAPTER VIT. 



NEW YORK. 
What 1. One great object in the voyages of the early 



was the 



object of navigators was the discovery of a western passage 
Ss'P' to the East Indies much shorter and more safe than 
the one then known. In pursuit of this passage, 



CUap. VII. EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 137 

Henry Hudson made two voyages in the service of leos 
a company of London merchants, but being misuc- jn^^jiose 
cessful, his employers srave up the attempt in dt^Hud- 

' r ^ o r 1 son make 

(despair. two^.y^ 

2. Hudson, still confident of success, now entered ^^{J^^ 
the service of the Dutch East India Company and ^"^^®^*' 
in 1609, sailed on his third voyage. He reached in whose 

• /• A.' /♦ n 1 service 

the continent in the vicmity of PSewfoundland, pro- ^{^^^l^, 
ceeded south along the coast to Virginia, then '*''• 
turning to the north, on the thirteenth day of Sep- what is 
tember he anchored within Sandy Hook, where he wr tSird 
remained a week, and then entered the harbor and 
sailed up the river as far as the present city of 
Albany. Having completed his discovery, he de- 
scended the stream to which time has given his 
name and sailed for Europe.* 

3. Shortly after, a vessel was fitted out by a com- 
pany of merchants at Amsterdam and sent out to v/hat of 
traflSc with the natives. When Arsrell in 1613, re- settie-"^^ 
turning from his pnatical excursion agamst the set- 
tlements at Port Royal, entered the waters of New ^rgeii?' 
York, he found on the island of Manhattan a num- 
ber of hovels erected by these Dutch mariners and 
traders. His larger force made him, while he re- 
mained, lord of the island, but as he retired, the 
Dutch continued their profitable traflSc, and in the 



* Hudson, shortly after his return, sailed on another voyage 
to discover a western passage, in the employment ot a company 
of English merchants. Sailing north into the Arctic ocean, he 
searched through a gloomy winter in vain. At length provi- 
sions were nearly exhausted, and his crew broke forth into mu- 
tiny. Hudson was seized, and, with his son, thrown into a 
small boat and left to perish. He never was heard of afterward. 



138 NEW YORK. p„^ j^ 

1614 following year having received reinforcements, erect- 
Fort Am- ^^1 Fort Amsterdam on the south end of the island. 
anTrmt Emigrants from Holland frequently arrived, and in 

Orange? ^^^J^ , ^ ^ . ,, 

lol5, a settlement was commenced at Albany, and 

Fojt Orange erected. 
lvt\he ^- ^^ 1^21, the Dutch West India Company was 
fiie"*' °^ formed, and immediately received a grant of a large 
East In- tract of countrv on both sides of the Hudson, ex- 

(liH Com- -^ ' 

pany? tending from the Connecticut river on the north to 
the Delaware river on the south. The territory was 
called New Netherlands. In 1623, Cornelius Mey 
ascended the Delaware river, and on Timber Creek, 

Si-t^did where it enters the Delaware a few miles below 

ereJt.i Camden, erected Fort Nassau. Two years after, 
Peter Minuits the commercial agent of the West 
India Company, arrived at Marihattan with the 

Minuits? commission of governor, which office he held for 
six years. 

5. For a considerable length of time, a friendly 

What is feeling existed between the Dutch and the Pilgrhns. 

the pij- The latter were invited to remove to the rich mead- 

grims 

and the qws oftlie Couuecticut, and they in their turn re- 
ciprocated the kindness of the former in many ways. 
These were the rvide beginnings of New York. 
Its first age was the age of hunters and Indian 
traders ; of traffic in the skins of beavers and otters. 
Describe It was thc day of straw roofs, and wooden chim- 
YoJkaff neys, and windmills. The straw-roofed cottages 
J"f^*^ and uncultivated grounds on the island of Manhat- 
tan, in httle more than two centuries, have g/ven 
place to the marble mansions of the rich and the 
crowded streets of the metropolis of the /ew 
World. 



Cliap.VII. EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 139 

6. The sombre forests which met the eye of Hud- 1029 
son as he sailed up the river that bears his name, 
have passed away, and in their place we behold cul- 
tivated fields and smiling villages. The vast wil- 
derness-traversed only by wild oeasts and savage 
men, its silence unbroken save by their cry, 

is now penetrated in every direction by railroads 
and canals, and its rivers and lakes resound with 
the breathings of the steam-engine, as it impels 
floating palaces, conveying the busy traveler and the 
rich products of the soil to their destination. Such 
are the changes which have been brought about by 
the action of mind upon matter. 

7. In 1629, a new company was formed in Hol- 
land, called the '^ Colleo-e of nineteen." By the what of 

... theregu- 

regulations of this company, every one who would ^^l^^l^} 
emigrate on his own account, was entitled to as fe"^ 
much land as he could cultivate. He that Avithin 
four years would plant a colony of fifty souls, be- 
came Lord of the Manor, or Patroon, possessing in 
absolute property the land he colonized, which 
might extend sixteen miles in length ; yet it was 
stipulated that the soil must be purchased of the 
Indians. 

8. Under these regulations several settlements 
w^ere formed. Five Indian chiefs, in return for 



parcels of goods, conveyed the land from Albany ^ttS- 
to the mouth of the Mohaw^k to the agent of Van were* 

r -t 1 formed! 

Rensselaer, and a few years afterward, the pur- 
chase was extended twelve miles farther south. 

9. In 1631, De Vriez conducted from Holland a 
colony, which settled at Lewistown, near the Dela- 
v/are. After a residence of a vear in America, De 



1631. 



140 NEW YORK. Pj^,.^ l^ 

1C33 Vriez sailed for Holland, leaving his colony to the 
What of ^^^'^ ^f Asset. At the close of the year he returned, 
and hi's^'' and found the soil he had planted strewn with the 
bones of his countrymen. The Indians had at- 
tacked the settlement, and nearly all had been de- 
stroyed. In the following spring, Be Vriez sailed 
to New Amsterdam, where he found Wouter Van 
Twiller, who had been recently appointed Gov- 
ernor in the place of Minuits. 
What 10. The Dutch laid claim to a large portion of 

cause of the tcrritorv of Connecticut, and had early occupied 

the quar- "^ ' J i 

[^ggjf- the soil, and erected a fort in the vicinity of Hart- 
t^cut"lnd ford. But the swarms of English in Connecticut 
Dutch, frrew so numerous as not only to overwhelm the 

and how ^ ^ 

Sed? feeble settlement at that place, but to invade the 
less doubtful territories of New Netherlands. A 
bitter quarrel ensued, which continued until 1650, 
when Peter Stuyvesant, the governor of New Ne 
therlands, met the commissioners of the New Eng- 
land colonies a. Hartford, where a hne of partition 
between their territories was fixed by mutual agree- 
wa^^'the ment. Long Island was divided between them, 
line" ^^ and on the main-land. New Netherlands was al- 
lowed to extend to Greenwich near the present 
boundary. 

11. While encroachments were thus being made 
What is upon the- Dutch in the east, a new cause of trouble 
the'^fof- arose in the west. Gustavus Adolphus, the King 
swediti of Swedea, had long cherished the plan of forming 
colony? ^ colony iu America, which should be a blessing to 
the whole Protestant world. After his death in 
1633, his minister revived the plan, but more than 



Cluap. II. 



NEW SWEDEN. 141 



four years passed away before the design was car j|53 8 
ried into effect. 

12. In 1638j the Swedish colony under Minuits^ isas. 
the former governor of New Netherlands, arrived 

in the Delaware bay ; purchased the lands of the 
natives, from the southern cape to the falls in the 
river near Trenton, and not far from the mouth of 
Christiana creek erected Christiana fort. Dela- 
ware was colonized, and notwithstanding the oppo- 
sition of Kieft, the Dutch governor, for a consider- 
able length of time prospered and increased in pop- 
ulation. The banks of the Delaware, from the 
ocean to the falls, were known as New Sweden. 

13. While the limits of New Netherlands were 
narrowed by competitors on the east, on the 
south, the colony was almost annihilated by the 
vengeance of the neighboring Algonquin tribes, sauf of 
Rum had been freely sold to the Indians, and un- unities 

'^ ' with th*> 

der its influence many outrages were committed. ^"^^^"^V 

One of the Manhattan Indians had killed a Hol- 
lander, and Kieft demanded the murderer. An 
angry quarrel ensued. Shortly, after the Mohawks 
came down upon the Manhattans, when in terror 
they begged the Dutch to assist them. The bar- 
barous Kieft sent his troops, and at night murdered ^r^^gUy'U 
them, all, men, women and helpless children, to the ^'^^^' 
number of a hundred. 

14. Every Algonquin tribe around Manhattan 
burned with the frenzy of revenge. No English Describe 

. . ^ the pro- 

familv witlun then* reach was safe. The Dutch ^j-ess of 

J the war 

villages were in flames, and the people fleeing to cbse.'^' 
Holland. At length, through the intervention of 
Roger Williams, peace was restored. But hostili 



142 NEW YORK. Parti. 

1645 ties soon recommenced. Capt. Underbill was ap- 
pointed commander of the Dutch troops. The war 
continued two years, nvhen it was brought to a 
close through the influence of the Mohawks, who 
claimed a sovereignty over the Algonquins. 

15. Great was the joy of the colony on the return 
of peace. The policy of the infamous Kieft was 
disavowed by the West India Company, and he re- 
Whatbe- movcd from office. Two years after he embarked 
kieft? for Europe in a richly laden vessel ; but the ship, 
unable to breast the fury of elements, as merciless 
as his own passions, was dashed in pieces on the 
coast of Wales, and the guilty Kieft was over- 
whelmed by the waves. 
1647 16. Peter Stuyvesant succeeded Kieft as gover- 
nor of the colony, and with the commencement of 
appoinS^ his wise administration a better day dawned on 
place, New Netherlands. Durins* his administration, 
hVad-"^ the difficulties existing between the Dutch and 
don'?' ^^' English were amicably arranged, mention of which 
has already been made. In 1651, Stuyvesant, from 
motives of commercial security, built Fort Casimer 

What . • . 

Secte? on the site of Newcastle, Avithin five miles of Chris- 
wi^ft"^ tiana, where the Swedish fort was situated. The 
^estroy- g^^gjjjgj^ govcmor, lookiug upon this as an encroach- 
ment by means of stratagem, overpowered the gai;> 
rison and took possession of the fort. 

17. Stuyvesant determined to punish them, and 
in September, 1655, at the head of a force of six 
thS^'iead hundred men, sailed into the Delaware for the pur- 
pose of conquest. Resistance was unavailing, and 
one after another of the Swedish forts surrendered, 



Chap. VII. GRANT OF THE DUKE OF YORK. 143 

until the whole country was in the hands of the iqqi 
Dutch. Such was the end of New Sweden. rj,^ 

18. New Netherlands soon fell into other hands, wSw 



for in 1664, Charles II. granted the whole of the lands 

'' ^ granted 

territory, from the Connecticut to the Delaware '" ^^^^^ 
river, to his brother, the Duke of York and Albany. 
The same year, the Duke dispatched three ships 
for his new possessions, under the command of 
Col. Richard Nichols. 

19. In August, Nichols arrived in the harbor what 
of New Amsterdam, and immediately demanded a ft^^lrT- 
surrender of the territory to his English majesty. S^hois 
(jrovernor fetuyvesant bemg unprepared lor deiense, wor? 
was compelled to comply with the demand, and the 
whole country passed into the hands of the Eng- ,^,^ ^,^^^ 
lish. In honor of the Duke, the name of New nam^es o'f 
Amsterdam was changed to New York, and Fort Amster- 
Orange to Albany. Nichols assumed the govern- ^on^ ^ 
ment, and continued for three years to rule over it "^^"^*^'^- 
with absolute power, but with great integrity and 
moderation. Upon his return to England in 1667, v^rhowas 
he was succeeded by Lovelace, who administered ksscrof 

. V T , . Nichols? 

the government wath equal moderation. 

20. In 1672, war broke out between England what 
and Holland, and in the following year a few Dutch ?|ew '" 
ships were sent to reconquer their old territory, in me .^" 

* ^ * breaking 

America. x4rriving in New York bay, John Man- ^^^%l 
ning, w^ho had charge of the fort, sent dow^n and ^Ifand 
covertly made terms with the enemy. The Dutch fa"nd?° 
immediately sailed up the harbor and took posses- 
sion of the fort and city without firing a single gun. 
The next year, peace was coucludedj and the coun- ^^^^* 
try was restored to the English. 



144 NEW YORK. Part I. 

1674 21. The Duke of York obtained a new patent, 
Who was confirming his former grant, and appointed Edmund 
eSTover- Audros, afterward known as the tyrant of New 

nor under 

pafeJftT England, governor of his possessions m America. 
During the administration of Andros and that of 
his successor, Anthony Brockholst, no event worthy 
of particular notice occurred in the colony. 

In 1682, Colonel Thomas Dongean, a Roman 
was^" Catholic, was appointed governor, and on the fol- 
appoint- lowinff year arrived at the colony. Heretofore the 

ed gover- o J J 

""'• governor and council had possessed absolute power, 
but now Dongan was directed to call an assembly 
of representatives. 
wifthe 22- Early in October, the first assembly consist- 
he'firs"/ ing of the council and eighteen representatives met 
tm M- and formed a " Charter of LibertiesJ^ The Wis- 
lature was hereafter to possess the sole power of 
enacting laws and levying taxes, but the laws 
could have no force, until ratified by the Duke. 
"With these just regulations the people were grati- 
fied and contented. In 1684, a treaty of peace was 
renewed with the Five Nations, from which time 
it continued unbroken for a number of years. 
How was 23. In 1685, the Duke of York ascended the 

James II. r t^ i i 

iTrfby'the t-h^'^ne of England, with the title of James 11. 

colonists? Claiming unlimited authority as king, and a big- 
oted Catholic in religion, he was feared and hated 
by a large majority of the colonists, who were 
Protestants, and who, on account of the oppressive 

whllt acts of himself and governor, began to tremble for 

didthly their religion. Great, therefore, was their iov when 

hear of ^ . ' ' *^ -^ 

thrani' ^^^ 1689, they received intelligence that the people 

mentT 



Chap. VII. LEISLER AND MILBORNE. 145 

of England had determined to dethrone James, ic89 
and offer the crown to WiUiam and Mary. 

24. Jacob Leisler, an active militia captain, wh^tis 
placed himself at the head of a few men, declared Leliie/j 
for William and Mary, and took possession of the 

fort of New York. Milborne, his son-in-law, pro- 
ceeded to Albany and made himself master of the 
place. These proceedings, at first, were discounte- 
nanced by the magistrates, and the more respecta- 1^^^'^(^ 
ble part of the citizens, but in a short time his goS 
force increased to more than five hundred men, 
sufficient in strength to put down all opposition. 

25. Before the breaking out of these disturban- 
ces, Donaan had sailed for England. Nicholson, 

1 . 11 1 • 1 T . 1 , Why did 

his successor, unable to contend with Leisler, ab- Leisier 

' ' think 

sconded in the night. Shortly after a letter arrived aiufor-^ 
from the ministry in England, conferring authority Ssume^ 
on whoever administered the laws of the prov- emment. 
ince, to perform all the duties of lieutenant-gov- 
ernor. Leisler considered this letter as addressed 
to himself, and assumed the authority conferred. 

The assumption of power on the part of Leisler, 
and his arbitrary and unjust measures, created in what 

• 1 /» -1 • . was the 

the minds of many a violent animosity toward him, ^^f^g^, 
which ended in bringing him to the scaffold. 

26. During these troubles in the colony, war was SlJad^' 
declared between England and France, and hostili- lamtion 

of war 

ties soon after commenced between the French and between 

France 

Indians on the north, and the English. Schenectady fa^nli^JI^ 
was burned, sixty of the inhabitants were killed, nies?^' 
and twenty-five made prisoners. To avenge these i69o. 
barbarities and others perpetrated in New England, bllSn- 
it was resolved to attack the French in Canada, commft^ 

ted? 



146 NEW YORK. Parti. 

1690 Two expeditions were formed, one under Sir 
What William Phipps to proceed by sea, the other by th^ 
uoSs^*' way of Lake Champlain, but both were unsuc- 

planned? ^ , 

cessiul. 
whowas 27. In 1691, Henry Sloughter was appointed by 
no/r* the King, Governor of New York. Never was a 
*^^' ■ governor more necessary to a province ; but it would 

have been almost impossible for the king to have 
What is selected one less qualified for the station than 

said of 

Wm? Sloughter. He refused to treat with Leisler ; but 
put him with many of his companions in prison. 

What of Under the absurd charge of high treason, Leisler 

andfe and Milborne were tried ; pronounced guilty, and 
sentenced to be executed. Their property was con- 
fiscated, but was afterward restored to their de- 
scendants. 

In August, Sloughter ended, by a sudden death, 
a short, weak, and turbulent administration. 

What of 28. The war between the French, with their In- 

tne ' 

and"""!}!- dian allies, and the English, still continued, and 
lanwar? ^j^^^^ ^j^jg ^^^^^ Major Pctcr Schuyler, at the head 

of three hundred Mohawks, made a successful at- 
tack upon the French settlements, at the north end 
of Lake Champlain. 
whosuo 29. In 1692, Col. Fletcher was appointed as the 

ceeded ' ^^ 

f^ri^^' successor of Sloughter. He was a good soldier, a 
What is religious man, and labored zealously to promote 
Si ad- the interest of the English Church. Near the close 

ministra- . , . 

lion? of his administration, the bloody war which had so 

dH?the ^^^S been carried on between England and France, 

aiid"in- by the French and English colonies in America, 

mS\' ^^^^^ terminated by the peace of Ryswick. 
1698. 30. In 1698, the Earl of Bellamont arrived in 



Cnap. VII. CAPTAIN KIDD. 147 

New York, as the successor of Governor Fletcher, ^g^g 
About this time, the American seas were much in- whosuc- 
fested with pirates. Bellamont, before his departure rleufhcn 

from England, had received instructions to wa^e a 

n • • • 1 Tx 1 1 1 1 ^^^ in- 

war 01 extermmation agamst them. He had already, l^^^^ 

when in England, in connection with several oth- clive^fn 
ers, procured a vessel of war, placed it under the ^"^ ^ ' 
command of Capt. Kidd, and directed him to pro- 
ceed first to New York, and then to cruise against 
the pirates. Kidd disobeyed his instructions, turned what is 

^ . said of 

pirate himself, and for a long time ravaged the At- gfjj^^ 
lantic and Indian oceans. 

31. Three years after, appearing publicly in Bos- 
ton, he was apprehended and sent to England, 
where he was tried and executed. Bellamont and 
his partners were accused of sharing in his plunder, 
but after an examination in the House of Com- 
mons, they were pronounced innocent. 

32. On the death of Bellamont, in 1701, Lord TeedeT 
Cornbury was appointed as his successor. Mean, mont? 
profligate and unprincipled, he looked upon a resi- 
dence in America as a happy escape from his credi- 
tors at home. His persecution of all religious sects ^^j^^^jg 
except the Church of England, his indecent and C(i?nbu. 
vulgar manners, and his many acts of injustice and ^^^ 
oppression, rendered him universally odious. The 
assemblies of New York and New Jersey, of which 

he was also governor in 1708, petitioned the queen wuatof 
for his removal. The request was complied with, history? 
and he was soon after thrown into prison by his 
creditors for debt, where he remained until the 
death of his father, when he exchanged his cell for 
a peerage and a seat in the House of Lords. 



148 NEW YORK. 



Part I. 



1 T4r 1 33. During Q,ueen Anne's war, which broke out in 
1702 and continued until 1713, and King George's 
hnjdid war, which commenced in 1745, but few events of 
Anne^s iutcrest transpircd in New York, which have not 
tinue? been ah*eady touched upon in connection with the 
colonial history of Massachusetts. The quiet of 
the country for many years was only disturbed by 
political contests, which would possess but little in- 
terest for the youthful mind. 
1741. 34. In the year 1741, a supposed "negro plot" 
^^^tig created great alarm in the city of New York. Rob- 
the'liegro bcrics of a bold and daring character were often 
New committed, and fires were of frequent occurrence, 

York? ' • I 1 1 . . 

which were evidently the work of incendiaries. 
The suspicion of the citizens fell upon the slaves 
who resided among them. They were accused, by 
a number of abandoned females, of combining to- 
gether to burn the city, and make one of their 
number governor. The excitement in a short time 
became so great, that, upon the evidence of persons 
of the most infamous character, a large number 
were arrested and confined in prison. When the 
time of trial arrived, so strong was the prejudice 
against the prisoners, that every lawyer in the city 
volunteered against them, and the poor victims of 
an unjust suspicion were compelled to endure the 
nywere mockcry of a trial, and be convicted upon evidence 
cutedi ^i^Q most extravagant and contradictory. Fourteen 
were burned, eighteen hung, and seventy-one trans- 
ported. When all this blood had been shed, and 
^gre ^^^^ apprehension of danger had subsided, men be- 
^uiuy? gan to reflect calmly upon the evidence that had 
been advanced against the prisoners, and the con- 



Ciiap. VIII. 



NEGRO PLOT. 149 



elusion was that the plot originated in their own 1741 
brainSj and that they had executed innocent men. ^j^ 
The negro plot in New York and Salem witchcraft hi^ton^^ 
in Massachusetts show into what extravagances negro ® 

1111 1 . • 11 plot be 

men may be led, when then* actions are uncontroll- classed? 
ed by the calm dictates of reason. From the 
close of King George's war, in 1748, until the^^^^^j^ 
breaking out of the '• French and Indian war," the nI^**^ 
inhabitants of New York were relieved from the from tha 

close ot 

burdens and distresses of hostilities. Mention will J^'"^ , 

George's 

be made of that contest, in which all the colonies ^"' 
acted in concert, at a future period in our histoiw. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

NEW JERSEY. 

1. The province of New Netherlands included ^j^^^^^ 
withm its limits the State of New Jersey, and, up to the early 
the time of the conquest of the whole of that coun- Newe? 

. . sey? 

try by the English, in 1664, its history is a part of 
the history of that colony. The first settlement 
within the limits of New Jersey, was made by the 
Danes, about the year 1624, at a place called Bergen ; 
shortly afterward, several Dutch families settled ^^^ 
themselves in the vicinity of New York. But little f^^^l 
progress, however, had been made in settling this 
territory, until 1664, when a settlement was formed 
at Elizabethtown. 

2. Shortly after, the Duke of York, having re- 



150 NEW JERSEY. Parti. 

1664 ceiv^ed a grant from Charles IL, of all lands within 

To the province of New Netherlands, conveyed that 

was°this portion of them lying between the Hudson and 

F/'^thl'^ Delaware rivers, to Lord Berkeley and Sir George 

Yofk?**^ Carteret. This tract, in compliment to Sir George, 

who had been governor of the island of Jersey, was 

called New Jersey. A constitution, securing equal 

privileges and liberty of conscience to all, was 

said^ of ^ formed bjT^ the proprietors, and Philip Carteret ap- 

^^^ad-^"" pointed governor. He arrived in 1665, and fixed 

tfoSor* the seat of government at Elizabethtown. The 

liberal spirit of the constitution, and the beauty of 

the climate, attracted many settlers from New 

England and New York. The population rapidly 

increased, and for a number of years, they enjoyed 

uninterrupted peace and prosperity. 

3. But at length domestic troubles arose, which, 
troubles in a short time, assumed a serious character. The 

arose ' 

Bind inhabitants who had purchased lands from the In- 
^' dians, previous to their conveyance to the duke, re- 

fused to pay rent to the proprietors. Disputes were 
followed by confusion, and in 1672, the disaffected 
colonists displaced Philip Carteret, their governor, 
and transferred his office to the young and frivo- 
lous James Carteret, a son of Sir George. Philip 
Carteret, hastened to England, in search of new 
authority, while the colonists remained in the un- 
strnfof disturbed possession of their farms. 
and'the ^' ^^ 1673, the Dutch re-conquered the country, 
tfon'^or and retained it until 1674, when it was restored by 
tr/attd"" treatv. A new patent was then ff ranted to the 

the gov- , , , . 1. , . 14 1 

finTf"^ duke, who immediately appointed Andros governor 
IhlneT} over the re-united province. In 1675, Philip Car- 



CHap. VIII. LA ND TITLES. 151 

teret returned to New Jerse)^, and was gladly re- i6T4 
ceived by the inhabitants, who had become heart- 
ily weary of the tyranny of Andros. 

5. In 1674j Lord Berkeley sold his share of New Describe 
Jersey to Fenwick, in trust for Billings and his quenr* 
assignees. Billings subsequently became embar- whu-u 
rassed in his pecuniary affairs, and made an as- ^^s\^/. 
signment of his claims on New Jersey to William "^°'^" 
Penn, Gawin Lawrie, and Nicholas Lewis. In 
1676, the assignees of Billings divided the territory 
with Sir George Carteret, they taking the western, 

and he the eastern portion. The western proprie- 
tors divided their territory into one hundred lots, 
which were sold separately. They then gave the 
settlers a free constitution, under the title of Con- 
cessions, granting all the important privileges of 
civil and religious liberty. 

6. The Duke of York continued to urge his 
claims to jurisdiction over New Jersey, to the o^reat how 

J J ? n were 

annoyance of the inhabitants, until 1680, when the naiiy^' 
question was referred to Sir WiUiam Jones, for his from the 
decision. The decision was in their favor, and the theDuke 

' of York ) 

people finally succeeded in securing a formal recog- 
nition of their independence. In 1681, the Gov- 
ernor of West Jersey convened their first legislative 
assembly, when several laws were enacted, estab- 
lishing the rights of the people and defining the 
power of the rulers. 

7. In 1682, William Penn and eleven other per- whmof 
sons of the society of friends, purchased of Sir sey^V^'^' 

^ . ^ der Qua- 

George Carteret, the whole province of East New ^Ynfslm 
Jersey. Twelve other persons of different denomi- 
nations, were then united with the purchasers, 



tion 



152 NEW JERSEY. p^^ I, 

1682 ^^^ Robeit Barclay, author of the " Apology for the 
Quakers," appointed governor for life. Under his 
brief administration, a large number of emigrants 
arrived from Scotland. / 

What led 8. The vast numbers of proprietors, and the fre- V 
der^of" quent transfer and subdivision of shares, introduced 
^nmlnt' coufusiou iu land titles, which gave rise to long and , 
Sownv angry disputes. At lengtn, the proprietors, weary [ 
1702. of contending, surrendered in 1702 their rights of i 
government to the crown. The two divisions were 1 1 
What of ^"^i^^^ and joined to New York under the govern- 
JJ^o^'liS J^ent of Lord Cornbury. The two provinces 
frSJfthis remained under the same governor, but possessed 
distinct legislative assemblies until 1738, when, 
in compliance with the urgent request of the peo- 
ple of New Jersey, they were allowed a separate 
governor. From this period until the commence- 
ment of the Revolution, no event of historical 
interest occurred in New Jersey. 



Ume? 



Cliap.IX. DELAWARE. 153 

1683 

CHAPTER IX. 

DELAWARE. 



1. The history of Delaware until its conquest ^^^^^^^^ 
by the Dutch, has already been given in connec- the ewiy 
lion with that of New York. It will therefore be oeia- 

ware' 

unnecessary to refer to that period again. The 
settlements on the Delaware continued under the 
control of the Dutch, until 1664, when New Neth- 
erlands was conquered by the English. They 
were then considered a part of New York. 

2. About the year 1682, William Penn pur- what 
chased of the Duke of York the country at present t^rft"^" 

event oc 

comprised within the State of Delaware. This cimed 
tract was called the " Territories," and was for ^^^^• 
twenty years governed as a part of Pennsylvania. 

3. They were divided into three counties : New 
Castle, Kent and Sussex, each of which sent six to thek 
delegates to the general assembly. These dele- Ji^^^^^^^J? 
gates in 1703, being dissatisfied with the last char- ^^"^'*' 
ter which Penn had prepared, broke off from that 
colony and formed a distinct assembly; but they 

still remained under the jurisdiction of the former 
proprietor. 

4. Delaware was but little distuibed during the 
various Indian wars which harassed the country, farther^' 

, said of 

and enjoyed peace and quiet until the breaking out ^^i*-, 
of the Revolution, when her troops were foremost in 
fighting for the liberties of their country. 



7* 



154 PENNSYLVANIA* Fart Iv 

1681 

CHAPTER X. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

1. The territory comprised within the limits of 
Si^of' ^^^ State of Pennsylvania was granted in 1681, by 
to pinn ? Charles IL, to William Penn, son of Admiral Penn, 
as a recompense for services which he had render- 
ed the British nation. 
What of 2. The charter constituted William Penn and 
the^char- j^j^ heirs proprietors of the province of Pennsylva- 
nia, and gave to him, his heirs and their deputies, 
power to make laws with the advice of the freemen, 
and to erect courts of lustice. Wishing to dis- 

How did r 1 * 1 1 1 /- 1 tV 

Penn iis- posc of his lauds and found a colony, Penn now 

pose of A^ -^ ' 

andwhat pubUshed a description of the country holding out 
thrfifs? many inducements for emigration. He offered the 
tion"? land at the rate of twenty pounds for every thou- 
sand acres, or to lease it to those who preferred for 
a yearly rent of a penny an acre. At these low 
rents, large tracts of land were sold, mostly to 
duakers, of which denomination Penn was a 
member. 

3. In the latter part of the same year, three ships 
carrying settlers sailed for Pennsylvania. Among 
tlieir number was Markham, who was to act as 
deputy governor. On their arrival, they selected, as 

, a proper place for their settlement, a position above 
the confluence of the Delaware and the Schuylkill. 

4. In the following year, Penn published the 
frame of government for Pennsylvania, and a code 



Cliau. X. TREATY WITH THE INDIANS, 155 

of laws, which had been approved by the emigrants i682 
in England. To prevent future claims to the prov- whatdid 
ince by the Duke of York, he obtained a release pSh 

•; ' . in the 

from him of all lands under his control in Pennsyl- J°J[^Y^"^ 
vania, and also a grant of the territory comprised what did 
within the present State of Delaware. from ^he 

5. In the latter part of September, accompanied York? 
by about two thousand emigrants, he set sail for ^^^^^ 
America, and early in the following November y-fit^^ 
landed at New Castle. The next day possession """* 
of the "Territories" was legally given him by the 
magistrates. 

From New Castle, Penn ascended the Delaware 
to Chester, and from thence proceeded in an open 
boat to the beautiful bank on which the city of 
Philadelphia was soon to rise. 

6. Shortly after his arrival, smTOunded by a few ^^^ 
friends in the habiliments of peace, he met the mSt?* 
numerous delegation of the Lenni Lenape tribes his arrL 
under a large elm tree, and entered into a treaty 
with them which ever remained unbroken. " We 
meet," said he in addressing them, " on the broad Dgg^nbe 
pathway of good faith, and good will ; no advan- ?ng^nd*' 
taofe shall be taken on either side, but all shall be wltVth* 

^ Indians 

openness and love. The friendship between me 
and you, I will not compare to a chain, for that the 
rains might rust or the falling tree might break. We 
are the same as if one man's body were to be divided 
into two parts ; we are all one flesh and blood." 

7. The children of the forest were touched by 
the sacred doctrine, and renounced their guile and 
their revenge. " We will live," said they, " in love 
with WilHam Penn and his children, as long as the 



156 PENNSYLVANIA. Part a. 

I68JJ niooii and the sun shall endure." After having re- 
H(.w did ceived the stipulated price for their lands, and a 
dians^ei- copy of the treaty, which they were requested to 

er regard . . , , . , - , 

the Qua- prescrve, they retired to then* wigwams, and long 
after would repeat to their children, or to the stran 
ger, the words of William Penn. 

8. In nearly all the other American colonies, 
Indian hostilities and massacres were of frequent 
occurrence ; but in Pennsylvania, they lived in har- 
mony with the whites, and were inspired with a 
feeling of affection for those whose conduct gave 
evidence that they were their sincere friends. 
During the whole period that the other colonies 
suffered from the vengeance of the red man, not a 
drop of Quaker blood was shed by an Indian. 
The plan Shortly after the formation of this treaty, Penn laid 
c^ty^did out the plan of a city, which he called Philadel 
**"'• phia, or the city of " Brotherly Love." 
,683. 9. In this city a second assembly was held in 
March, 1683, and a second charter granted, differ- 
were the ins: in soiiie respects from the first. To prevent 

regula- o i j 

thTIe?!^ lawsuits, three arbitrators were to be chosen by the 

sembiy? couuty court, to Settle differences between man and 

man ; children were to be taught some useful 

was the trade, and no one was to be molested for religious 

result of ' . ° 

regula- opinions. These wise regulations attracted many 
tions? emigrants, so that, in four years from the grant to 
When Penn, the province contained twenty settlements, 
return to aud Philadelphia two thousand inhabitants. In 

England. '■ 

whose" August, 1684, he returned to England, leaving the 
dSe province under the administration of five commis- 
govern- sioucrs, choseu by the people. 

ment? ' . 

10. Soon after his return, James II. ascended the 



1694. 



Chap. X WILLIAM PENN. 

throne. For many years he had been his father's 1694 
and his own friend, and when, a few years after- ^hatbe- 
ward, he was deprived of his throne, Penn was sent afti'/hi^ 
to prison for his attachment to the cause of the iin- EngEndl 
fortunate monarch. In a short time he regained 
the good opinion of King WiUiam, was released 
from prison, and restored to his rights. The gov- governed 
ernment of his province, during his confinement, vKTn 
had been administered by Governor Fletcher, asence?* 
man appointed by the king. 

11. In 1699, Penn again visited his colony. Find- ^|^p"g„jj 
ing the people dissatisfied with their old charter, ^^*""'- 
in 1701 he prepared another, still more liberal than Jidhe 
the former. The colony of Delaware disapproving- oTh?r^"' 

•^ 1 r o charter? 

of the charter, separated from Pennsylvania, and ^^j^^^^j^j 
were allowed a distinct assembly. waredoi 

12. Penn soon after returned to England, and 

the affairs of the province from that time were ad- sai/of 
ministered by deputy governors. In the early part {^J^Jjj?' 
of the Revolutionary war, a new constitution was 
adopted by the people, excluding the proprietary 
from all share in the government. His claim to 
rents was afterward purchased for 580,000 dollars. 



the colo- 
ny? 




MARYLAND. p^rt f. 

CHAPTER XL 

MARYLAND. 



whom ^' ^^^ territory of Maryland was granted in 
^f£f ^- 1632, by Charles I., to Sir George Calvert (whose 
granted? title was Lord Baltimore) ; but before the charter 
was completed, he died. Cecil Calvert, his eldest 
tained son, and heir to his estate and title, obtained the 

the grant ' ' 

death!^'^ grant intended for his father. The country was 

mmJ*'^* called Maryland, in honor of Henrietta Maria, the 

give it? dueen of England. The Calverts, father and son, 

were Roman Catholics, and their desim in found- 

What ' *=* 

cS^ertsI i^S ^ colony in America was, to furnish a place of 
refuge to their religious friends who suffered from 
persecution. 

2. Near the close of the year 1633, Leonard Cal- 
appoi^t^^ vert, who had received the appointment of gov- 

ed gover- r ^ • r i«ii r-^ •! 

nor of ernor of the provmce from his brother Cecil, set 

the pro- ^ ' 

an'd'' sail for America, accompanied by about two hun- 
waf the dred emigrants, mostly Roman Catholics. They 
tJement aiTlvcd iu Mai'ch 1634, and commenced their set- 

com- ' 

menced' tJemcut ou St. Mary's river, about ten miles from 
its junction with the Potomac, at an Indian village 
which they purchased from the natives, and to 
which they gave the name of St. Mary's. 

3. The ample provisions of their charter, and the 
What led mildness of the climate, attracted many emigrants, 
rapid in- not oulv fi'om Euiope, but from the other colonies 

crease of -^ ^ ' 

tion"in i^ America. From the south churchmen drove 
K' puritans, from the north puritans drove churchmen, 



Chap. XI. CLAYBORNE. 159 

into her borderSj where all were received and pro- xgs4: 
tected. The charter granted to the emigrant reli- 
gious freedom, and the power to make their own 
laws, independent of all influence or action of the 
crown. 

4. In 1635, the first assembly of Maryland met when 
at S4:. Mary's. During the same year troubles first J- 
arose from the resistance of William Clayborne, "»eet? 
who had, prior to the grant of Maryland to Lord 
Baltimore, received a license frojn the legislature ^^^^^ 
of Virginia, to traffic in the country with the In- ^u^se^o^f 
dians. This, he said, made him independent of the bies '^^ 

' ' ^ which 

Maryland government, which he refused to obey. iJj^';?^^ 
A bloody skirmish followed, and several lives were ^^®^®* 
lost, but Clayborne and his party were defeated. 
Clayborne fled to Virginia, and when reclaimed by what is 
Maryland, was sent by the governor of that colony ciay-^ 
to England for trial. The Maryland assembly 
convicted him of treason, and confiscated his es- ^*^' 
tates. He applied to the king for redress, but was 
dismissed, without obtaining any order in his fa- 
vor.. 

5. At first the people of Maryland assembled to- did the 

• 1 \ n ^ ' people 

gether for passing laws, each freeman havmg a f'^^p^g^. 
right to come and vote, but in 1639, the colony had fofmV 
increased to such an extent, that the people adopt- Kt"" 
ed a representative form of government. In 1642. what 

^ ° ' hostih- 

hostihties commenced with the Indians, which cu'redin 
were not appeased till 1644. During the civil war ^^^^' 
between the king and parliament, Clayborne em- said'^of 
braced the cause of the latter, and in 1645, returned ^^^^^^^ 
to Maryland, and fomented an insurrection against wa^n'^ 
Us rulers, who were attached to the royal cause, fe"!^" ' 



160 MARYLAND, 



Part J. 



1645 ^^^ governor was obliged to flee to Virginia, and 
confusion reigned in the colony. The next year 
the insurrection was suppressed, and tranquillity 
restored, 
whatdi- 6. In 1650, the legislature of Maryland was di- 
was°" vided into two branches — the delegates, chosen by 
[hejegis- the pcoplc, Constituting the lower house ; and the 
1650? governor and council, appointed by the proprietor, 
What IS ^he upper house. It is worthy of remark, that dur- 
MaV^ ing the whole period that the Catholics held the 
u-hiie ascendency, no law was passed, interfering in the 
hJs^were l^ast with religlous freedom. Maryland was a 
cendeiv placc of rcfugc for the persecuted of every reli- 
gious denomination. 

7. After the parliament had triumphed over the 

king, and Cromwell commenced his rule as ^' Pro- 

whom tector of the Commonwealth," government sent out 

was the . , • i • i t^ 

govern- commissioucrs to govern the colony withm the Bay 

tneni in- s j j 

dS^g of Chesapeake. Among these was Clayborne, who 
ofVrom" had been at the bottom of nearly all the difficulties 
which had occurred in Maryland. Disturbance 
dSurb- ^^^ confusion ensued, and Calvert, the governoi 
cS°fn appointed by the proprietor, was obliged to surren- 
fand?" der the government, and the Catholics, after hav- 
ing settled the country, were shamefully persecuted 
cSho^-^^ in it by the English authorities. It was ordain- 
ieciftld ^^ by the assembly, that persons professing the 
the new Catliolic religion should not be considered within 

govern- • i» i i a ^ • • 

"lent? the protection oi the laws. At the restoration in 

1660. 1660, Philip Calvert was appointed governor, and 

to(!k* the ancient order of things restored. 
theteT 8. In 1675, Lord Baltimore died, and was suc- 

toration 1 

ceeded by his son Charles, who possessed the same 



C'liap. XI. DEATH OF BALTIMORE. 161 

amiable qualities which had rendered his father i689 
respected and beloved. At the time of the revolu- ^^^^ 
tion in England, in 1689, the repose of Maryland moredie, 

,. , , . 1 • 1 • and what 

was affam disturbed. A rumor navmer been cncu- js. said of 

^ ^ his sue 

lated, that the Catholics had leagued with the In- ^^'^^^^ 
dians to destroy all the Protestants in the prov- 

1 . . ^ 1 /• 1 1 Whatoc- 

mce, an armed association was formed for the de- casioned 

' the dis- 



fense of the Protestant faith, and for asserting the jmgss. 



turbance 
aiLii, aiiKA lui cioocitjiig liacj 

rio^hts of Kinsr William. 

9. At first the Catholics endeavored to oppose by ^h"caS 
force this association, but were finally compelled to ^^•^^^*^- 

' •^ r In whose 

abdicate the government. From this time the au- ^^JJthe 

thority was exercised in the name of King William, Kt"" 

and for twenty-seven years, the crown retained the minis- 

controll of the province. In 1716, the proprietor when 

was restored to his rights, and Maryland continued f^J^p^^^^; 

a proprietary government from that time, until the h'is'^'^'" 

commencement of the Revolution, when a consti- "ndt'ow 

tution was adopted, and the claims of Lord Balti- ^e retain 

*■ ' posses- 

sore to jurisdiction or property rejected. thTgSC- 

emmentf 



k 



162 

1630 



NORTH CAROLINA. part I. 

CHAPTER XII. 

NORTH CAROLINA. 



Sid'^of 1- ^^ l^'^O, Sir Robert Heath, attorney-general 
fcnt''^ of Charles I., obtained a patent for all the country 
to'^sif between the 30th and 36th deg-rees of north latitude, 

Robert ^ ' 

Heath? extending from the Atlantic ocean to the South 
sea, by the name of Carolina. Heath's patent led 
to no settlements, and was finally declared void. 
and^"by Betwecu 1640 and 1650, a number of families suf- 
wasTar- feriug from religious persecution in Virginia, fled 
expfored to CaroHua, and without a grant from any quarter 
tied? occupied that portion of the State which lies north 

of Albemarle sound. 
What is 2- I^^ 1661, a number of emigrants from Massa- 
the'^cdo- chusetts formed another settlement, near Cape 
Massa- Fcar river, but the land beinff unproductive, and 

chusetts? ' ^ & r 5 

the Indians hostile, they two years afterward 

abandoned it. The place, however, was in a short 

the^co?J- time supplied by emigrants from Barbadoes, over 

Barba^ wliom Sir John Yeamans was appointed governor. 

In 1663, the territory which had been before 

granted to Heath, was given to Lord Clarendon 

theAibe- ^^^ seven others, and in the same year, a govern- 

Sunty ment under Mr. Drummond was established over 

the settlement in the vicinity of Albemarle sound. 

Why did which was called the " Albemarle county colony." 

the pro- *' "^ 

rietora 3^ ^hc proprictoTS, judging from the richness of 
'Sbii?h the soil and the beauty of the chmate, that North 
Mvern- Caroliua would soon be extensively settled, detcrmin- 



Cliap. XII. THE FIRST CONSTITUTION. 163 

ed to establish a form of government, commensmate ig69 
in its dignity with the auspices of the colony, and 
the vastness of the country. They accordingly 
deputed the Earl of Shaftsbury, the most active wiio 
of their number, lo frame for the dawnino^ States a fra^iVrs* 

. . Ill ofihis 

perfect constitution, worthy to endure throughout J°;jfJ'^"' 
all ages. 

4. Shaftsbury engaged to assist him the cele- 
brated John Locke, whose political writings have 
been much admired. The constitution which was ^id^ofio 
formed was little relished by the colonists, as it de- 
prived them almost entirely of political freedom, 
establishing a government to be administered by 
lords and noblemen, and placing every office of 
importance out of the reach of the common people. 

5. The attempt to enforce this, to the colonists, i67o 
odious constitution, created an insurrection, in which 
the principal officers of government were imprison- 
ed, and which could only be subdued by the threat JJf^j-le" 
of bringing out an armed force against them. After stituuon? 
an opposition to the constitution of more than 
twenty years, it was finally abrogated by the pro- 
prietors themselves. 

6. In 1670, a settlement was made at Chaiiestown, Zl'^^dr 
within the present limits of South Carolina, by figment 
William Sayle, but he dying soon after, was sue- i67o? 
ceeded by Sir John Yeamans, the governor of Cla- ^^'i- 
rendon. Many of the inhabitants of Clarendon ^^^^ 
removed to the new settlement, which being remote Tepamte 
from Albemarle, the proprietors established a sen- mem 

^ \ formed, 

arate government, and thence arose the distinctive ^^^^^^^ 
appellations of North and South Carolina. pjila?^" 

7. In 1683, Seth Sothel, one of the proprietors, we"^ 



164 NORTH CAROLINA. Parti. 

1689 ^^^ appointed chief magistrate. He was avari- 

what is cious, hard-hearted, and tyrannical. He cared not 

s'etli^^ for truth, and eagerly plundered the people under 

the cloak oi law. ine colonists, alter naviuff en- 

1689. . . . ' . " 

dured his oppression six years, banished hini from 

the colony. 

8. Ludwell, the next governor, and John Arch- 
whatofd^l^ his successor, were deservedly popular and 
and^^ beloved, for under their administrations the colonists 
da^e? prospered and were happy. 

^^^^ In 1707, a company of French emigrants who 
Irants had formerly settled in Virginia, arrived in Caro- 
inmi lina. In 1710, they were followed by a hundred 

and mo? '. ^ 1 T^i • 1 

German families from the Rhine, who sought 

refuge in the same part of the province, from the 

religious persecution which harassed them at 

grain home. To each of these the proprietors g-ranted 
was r r & 

Sim/" ^^^ hundred acres of land, upon which they set- 
tled and were soon in the enjoyment of ease and 
competency. 
1712. 9. In 1712, the Tuscarora and Coree Indians, 
smarting under recent injuries and alarmed at the 
increase of the white population, formed a conspi- 
racy for destroying the colony by a general massa- 
crUm-' ere. Twelve hundred warriors united in the plot, 
Tuscaro- and in the same niffht attacked the different set- 

ra and ^ 

Mans? tlements. Their measures were taken with such 
secrecy, that no alarm was spread imtil the work 
of death had commenced. In one night, one hundred 
and thirty persons were butchered. A few escaped 
and hastened to South Carolina for assistance. 

10. Colonel Barnwell, with nearly a thousand 
men, was immediately sent by Governor Craven to 



Give an 
account 
of the 



Cliap. XII. SEPARATION OF THE CAROLINAS. 165 

their assistance. After a fatiguing march, they it 12 
met the enemy, defeated them and then entered 
into a treaty of peace. But in a few daji^ the treaty 
was broken and hostilities again commenced. At wnatis 
length Colonel Moore arrived from South Carolina the pro- 

ffress d.n(i 

with forty whites and eight hundred friendly In- Jj^^^4r? 
dians, beseiged them in a fort near Catechny river, 
and took eight hundred prisoners. The remainder 
of the Tuscaroras, in 1713, migrated to the north, 
and joined the Huron confederacy. In 1715, the 1715. 
Corees sued for peace, and afterward continued 
friendly. 

11. Until 1729, the two Carolinas had been un- 1729 
der the control of the same proprietors, but they ^^^^ 
were now separated, and royal governments entirely foo^k^^ 
unconnected with each other established over the^'v- 

1-^ • 1 • 1 /• ernment 

each colony. Jiimigrants constantly arrived from »« 17291 
the north, and from different parts of Europe ; the 
settlements extended far back into the wilderness, 
and the colonists at peace with the Indians, con- 
tinued to enjoy quiet and prosperity until they were 
involved in the troubles of the Revolution. 




•south CAROLINA. Parti, 

CHAPTER XIII 

SOUTH CAROLINA. 



whati« 1. The whole territory of South Carolina was, 
the first as we have already stated, included in the charter 

colony in j j 

c3na? gJ'^nted to Lord Clarendon and seven others in 
1663. No permanent settlement was made until 
1670, when a company of emigrants sent out by 
the proprietors, under the direction of William 
Sayle, commenced, on a neck of land between Ash- 
ley and Cooper rivers, the erection of Old Charles- 
town. 

2. The emigrants had hardly landed, before they 
appointed delegates to their colonial parliament, 
and instituted a government on the basis of liberty. 
The colony from this time rapidly increased in 
population. Within a year after their first arrival. 



What 
emi- 
grants 

sooTaf- many of the Dutch on account of the conquest of 

ter they 

tuted a New York removed to Charleston. They were 
%f^x^- speedily followed by emigrants from Holland. Pu- 
"*^" ■ ritans in England gladly sought a refuge in Caro- 
lina, where they could avoid the vice of the King's 
licentious court. The tyranny of Louis XIV. in- 
duced many French Protestants to seek a home be- 
yond the Atlantic, where their worship would be 
tolerated, and their civil rights respected. 
What 3. In 1671. Sir John Yeamans was appointed ffov- 

nccurred ' r r o 

ernor. He brought from Barbadoes several African 
slaves ; thus, South Carolina alone of the thirteen 
original States was from its cradle a planting State 



occurred 
m 167U 



Chiap. XIII. 



SETH SOTHEL. 167 



with slave labor. The number of blacks increased leso 
so rapidly, that in a few years they numbered more 
than the whites. 

4. The situation of Charleston not being conve- ^hy did 
nient for commercial purposes, most of the inhabit- pil ^re-' 
ants removed in 1680 to Oyster Point, where they oygjer 
laid the foundation of the present city of Charles- 
ton. The same year the Wistoes, a powerful ^JildTn 
tribe of Indians, commenced hostilities against the yeLt"*® 
whites, but in the following year peace was re- 
stored. 

5. In 1690, Seth Sothel one of the proprietors, 
who had been previously banished from North Car- Zldlt 
olina for his corrupt conduct, suddenly appeared at sotheiin 
Charleston, and aided by a large party, assumed 

the reins of government. But his conduct was 
soon found to be intolerable, and in two years he 
was removed from office. 

6. The French Protestants who had been driven ^^y^ad 
from France by the tyranny of Louis XIV., up to Frinoh 
the present time, possessed no voice in legislative ta'nts^Teft 

1 1. 1 1 -111 France? 

matters, but now then* good conduct induced the 
pr<>prietors to extend to them the right of represen- i^^^- 
lation. This the English settlers strongly opposed, jj^^ 
and such was the general turbulence and disorder Jhly%e- 
respecting this and other matters, that in 1695, John S'tL 
Archdale, a pious Q^uaker, was sent over as govern- settlers? 
or, with authority to redress all grievances. He 
succeeded in restoring order, but was compelled to ^hatis 
exclude the French Protestants from all concern in Arch-""^ 

dale's 

the legislature. In a few years, however, they were govern- 
admitted to all the rights of citizens and freemen. 

7. In 1702, soon after the commencement of the *^^ 



168 SOUTH CAROLINA. Fart 1 

1703 war between England and Spain, Governor Moore 
Give an pi'oposed an expedition against the Spanish settle- 
Sftheex- ment at St. Augustine, but the attempt which was 
against made with 1,200 men, was entirely unsuccess- 

St. Au- ' ' -^ , 

wstine. f^i^ ajij cQgt the colony about twenty-six thousand 
dollars. Moore, on his return, to silence the re- 
proaches of the people of Charleston, marched 
What of with a large force against the Apalachian Indians, 
dition^*^" who had at different times manifested their hostility 
the Apa- to the whites. In this expedition, he was success- 

.achian a^ ^ 

Indians? f^]^ ^^^ ^f^^^. ^aviug bumed many of their towns 
1704. and villages, and sold several of their number as 
slaves, he compelled them to submit to the govern- 
ment of the colony. 

8. According to the constitution, religious liberty 

was to be freely enjoyed by all; but Governor 

Moore, by bribing the voters, succeeded in procuring 

did^Gov ^^^^ passage of a law, establishing the Episcopal 

make^in religiou, and excluding dissenters from a seat in the 

mafteT? assembly. The lords, however, disapproved of the 

law, and dueen Anne shortly after declared it void. 

The war between England and Spain still contin- 

Why did ... 

slfanish ^^^^j ^^^^ ^^ 1706, a Spauish squadron appeared off 
IqSadfon the harbor of Charleston ; but on the enemy at- 
ica? ^ tempting to land, they were driven back with con- 
siderable loss, when they took a final leave of the 
coast. 
1715. 9^ The colonists now remained in peace for 
Give an scvcral ycars, but in 1715 their quiet was broken 
ofthe"in- by the horrors of Indian warfare. The Yemassees, 
mi7i5. a brave and warlike people inhabiting the interior, 
had long meditated the total destruction of the 
whites. They had engaged in the conspiracy all 



CHop.XIII. YAMASSEE WAR. loO 

the tribes from Cape Fear to Florida, and in April i-yi -^ 
commenced their attack. Ninety persons were 
massacred at Port Royal, and other attacks no less 
bloody made in different parts of the country. 

10. Governor Craven, at the head of twelve hun- whatd;d 
dred men, marched against the savages, and the ven ac** 
tide of war was speedily changed. Straggling p^^^^- 
parties of the Indians were cut off, and the great 
body of the enemy totally routed in a pitched bat- 
tle at Saltcatchers. Most of them fled to Florida, 
where they w ere welcomed by the Spaniards. The 

war with the Yemassees Avas now closed, and a what 
heavy public debt contracted. The proprietors not discon- 
only refused to pay any portion of this debt, which ^^"^^' 
had been incurred in the defense of the colony, but 
deprived the emigrants of the land from which the 
Indians had been driven. 

11. This tyrannical conduct led to frequent conten- 
tions; the emigrants refused to submit to the au- how did 
thority of the proprietors, and appointed John Moore uoversT 
governor in the name of the king. They shortly 
after obtained a hearing before the king, when it was 
declared the proprietors had forfeited their charter, 

and the colony from thenceforth became a royal 
province. In 1729 it was separated from North 
Carolina. From this time to the breaking out of 
the Revolution but little of interest occurred. 

8 



729. 



170 

1T32 



What 



GEORGIA. ^ Parti. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

GEORGIA. 

1. A portion of the territory of Georgia had 
been included in Carohna, but previous to the sur- 
render of that charter, no settlement had been made 
in the country. In 1732, a number of benevolent 



plan was gentlemen in England formed the plan of planting 



formed 



in 17321 the sunny clime with those, who, in England, had 
neither land nor shelter, and those on the conti- 
nent to whom, as Protestants, bigotry denied free- 
dom of worship at home, 
^•hatis 2. At the head of this company stood James 
o^fe-"^ Oglethorpe, a member of the British parliament, a 
man of a heroic mind and merciful disposition. 
Through his influence a charter was obtained in 
Tllf/did ^^32 from George II., erecting the country between 
clive® the Savannah and Altamaha, due west to the Pacific, 
Gewge into the province of Georgia, and placing it for twen- 
ty-one years under the guardianship of a corporation 
" in trust for the poor." In November of the same 
year, Oglethorpe, with about one hundred and twen- 
town tv emigrants, sailed for America, and on their arri- 

wasset- J n 7 i 

m2?" val commenced the foundation of then* town, on 
the high bluff where now stands Savannah. 

3. In the following June, the chiefs of the Creek 
nation assembled at Savannah, and bade the stran- 

the^in- prers welcome to the lands which their nation did 

dians re- ° • i i 

wuSraf not use. One of them in token of smcerity, laid 
eight bundles of buck-skins at Oglethorpe's feet; 



Chap. XIV, WESLEY WHITFIELD. 171 

a treaty of peace was signed, by which the English tt33 
claimed sovereignty over the land of the Creeks 
as far south as St. Johns, and the chieftains depart- 
ed loaded with presents. 

4. The poverty and indolence of the new settlers, 
most of whom were the refuse of cities, for a time 
prevented the colony from prospering, but on the 
trustees extending their invitation, w^hich had here- 
tofore been confined to the poor and persecuted, to the next 

A A 1 company 



all who might wish to settle in Georgia, a large ^fa,ftf^' 
number from Scotland, Germany, and Switzerland, from the 
of a more respectable class, joined the colony, which 
from this time assumed a more flourishing condi- 
tion. In the regulations adopted by the trustees, what 
the introduction of ardent spirits was prohibited, Ihey ^^*^ 
and no slaves were allowed in the colony. 

5. Oglethorpe in 1734, after a residence in Amer- 1736. 
ica of about fifteen months, sailed for England. In ,,^^ 

' ° What 

1736, he again returned to his colony, with a new "ompany 
company of three hundred emigrants, among whom %^\^^^ 
were John and Charles Wesley. John Wesley came thorpe? 
out as a minister of the gospel, but his severe habits 
of conduct and opinion brought him into difficul- 
ties, and at the end of the year he returned home. 

6. Two years after, George Whitfield, another Forwhat 

•^ 70 7 purpose 

eminent divine, came to Georgia, for the purpose ^hit- 
of founding an asylum, where orphan children could come to 

I'll 11 r- i-^i • • • rT^^ Amcrical 

be educated m the knowledge of Christianity. 1 he 
house, during his life, did not flourish, and after his whatdid 
death was entirely abandoned. thorpe 

•^ , do on tha 

On the commencement of the war in 1739 be- ^i"- 

mence- 

tween England and Spain, Oglethorpe received a fhl^EiTj 

.. .,1 T**^*i 1 iish ana 

commission as genera, m the British army, and at Spanish 



172 GEORGIA. 



Part 1, 



the head of two thousand men, from Virginia and 

the Carolinas, marched against Florida. Two 

Spanish forts were taken, bnt meeting with an ob- 

H'ith stinate resistance in his attack upon St. Angus- 

success? tine, he was compelled to raise the siege and return 

to Georgia. 
Give an 7. Two vcars aftcrward, the Spanish government 

account •' ? i o 

span^s^h ^^ retaliation resolved on invading Georgia. It 

fion^*^^" collected its forces at Cuba, and a large fleet sailed 

oWia. toward the mouth of the St. Mary's. Oglethorpe 

. ^2 having been informed of the proposed invasion, 

made preparations for a vigorous defense. He as- 

thoPpe^ sembled his forces consisting of about seven hun- 

Sents. dred men at Frederica, on the island of St. Simon, 

and awaited the attack. 

8. On the last of June, the Spanish fleet of thirty- 
six vessels, having on board about three thousand 
men, entered St. Simon's harbor. And notwith- 
standing the resistance of General Oglethorpe, 
sailed up the river Altamaha, and landed upon the 

Give a . ^ . ' ' 

Iccouit island. In attempting to advance toward Freder- 
wan^^ ica by a road leading through a morass and dense 
wood, the Spaniards fell into an ambush, which had 
been prepared for them, and were compelled to re- 
treat with the loss of nearly two hundred -men. 
The swamp from that time received the name of 
'- The Bloody Marsh." 
What ^' Despairing of success, and weakened by divi- 

St^o^f sions — deceived, too, by an ingenious stratagem — 
difionf" the Spaniards, early in July, re-embarked leaving a 
quantity of ammunition and guns behind them. 
Thus was Georgia deliveied, with a trifling loss, 
from the horrors of a bloody invasion. The Span- 



Clap. XIV. Oglethorpe's return. 173 

lards were so mortified at the result of the expedi- i^^^ 
tion, that the commander on his return was tried 
by a court martial, and dismissed from the service. 

10. In the following year, Oglethorpe returned ^rhat is 
to England, never again to behold the colony, with cpnciu- 
which the disinterested toils of ten years had iden- pgie- 

•' thorpe? 

tified his fame. For ten years longer, the colony 
remained under the management of the trustees, 
but their regulations were often unwise, and created 

... . I7B3. 

much dissatisfaction. At length in 1752, they sur- 
rendered their charter to the crown, and Goorffia what 

^ ^ change 

became a royal province, having the same govern- J^^J^ j^ 
ment as the Carolinas. eSATm^ 



174 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. Part !• 

I T 48 

CHAPTER XV. 

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 

What IS 1. After long years of strife, of repose, and of strife 
t^^ofAtx- I'^i^^wed, England and France agreed to be at peace, 
Pdtef ^J^l^^ treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, concluded between 
those two nations m 1748, for a time restored tran- 
quillity to America. That treaty was negotiated by 
the ablest statesmen in Europe. They believed 
themselves the arbiters of mankind, the pacifica- 
tors of the world, and supposed they were establish- 
ing the colonial system on a basis which would 
endure for ages, 
^.jjg^g 2. At the time of the congress of Aix-la-Chapelle, 
wish- the woods of Virginia sheltered the youthful George 
bomTand Washiuo^ton. Born by the side of the Potomac, 

what is * -^ ' 

h^s'^aHy t>eneath the roof of a Westmoreland farmer, al- 
^'^^" most from infancy his lot had been the lot of an or- 
phan. No academy had welcomed him to its shades ; 
no college crowned him with its honors ; to read, to 
write, to cipher, these had been his degrees in know- 
ledge. And now at sixteen years of age, in quest of an 
honest maintenance, encountering incredible toil, 
wandering over the AUeghanies and along the banks 
of the Shenandoah, among skin-clad savages, with 
their scalps and rattles— holdinga bearskin a splendid 
couch, this stripling surveyor in the woods, with no 
companion but his unlettered associates, and no im- 
plements erf science but his compass and chain, con- 



CUap. XV. CAUSES OF THE WAR. 175 

trasted strongly with the imperial magnificence of 1-753 
the congress of Aix-la-Chapelle. 

3. And yet God had chosen not Kaunitz nor 
Newcastle, not a monarch of the house of Haps- 
burgh nor of Hanoverj but the Virginia stripling to his after 
give an impulse to human affairs, and as far as 
events can depend on an individual, had placed 

the rights and destinies of countless millions in the 
keeping of the widow's son. Yes, the voice of that 
boy was soon to be heard in the din of battle, and 
the mind of that stripling surveyor, strengthened 
and matured by years, was to guide the steps of 
his suffering country through a long and bloody 
war, and finally lay the foundation of the noblest 
structure of human freedom ever designed by man. 

4. The colonists had but short time to reap the 
benefits of peace, after the conclusion of the treaty ^'^^3*^"^^! 
already referred to, when their prospects were again cfa%V®' 
clouded, and the sound of approaching war filled rfance? 
the land with anxiety and gloom. After an inter- 
val of about eight years, from 1748 to 1756, Great 
Britain formally declared war against France. 

5. The causes leading^ to this war were the „,, 

^ What 

alleged encroachments of the French on the fron- 5^^"^^^^ 
tiers of the colonies in America belonging to the ^^'^ ^^"^ 
Enghsh crown. The possessions of the French in the what 
north reached from the mouth of the St. Lawrence extent of 

the 

to Montreal ; and they had erected trading houses J'i2m? 
on Lake Ontario. They had planted New Orleans 
on the south, and having discovered the Mississip- they in 
pi, claimed the vast tract of country watered by it fo^p^ct 
and its tributary streams. At length they deter- "Sd^^""" 
mined to connect their northern and southern pos- llttie^^^ 

menrs"* 



176 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. p^^t i. 

1153 sessions, by a line of posts extending along the 
frontiers of the English, from Lake Ontario to the 
Ohio, and down the Ohio and Mississippi, to New 
Orleans. 
What 6. While busily engaged in the prosecution of 

fhe"Eng. this design, a company of traders from London and 
from the ^irguiia having obtained of the king a grant of six 
^*"^- hundred thousand acres of land, on and near the 
Ohio river, erected trading houses there for the pur- 
pose of carrying on the fur trade with the Indians. 
Snt '^'^^ governor of Canada, fearing that the plan of 
fofiowed this company might prevent their communication 
part of between Canada and Louisiana, seized some of 
French? thcse traders, and sent them prisoners to Canada. 

7. The company complained bitterly of this en- 
what croachment on their rights to Governor Din widdie, 
wiflfnt of Virginia, who immediately sent a letter to the 
French Frcnch commaudant, to demand the reason of this 

com- 

Sfd by"^' hostile conduct, and to summon the French to 

whom? evacuate the forts in that region. This message 

was intrusted to George Washington, who, at the 

age of twenty-one, began that line of service which 

ended in the independence of his country. 

8. On the 31st of October, he left Williamsburg, 
Virginia, to proceed on his dangerous journey. The 

ScouSt distance he was obliged to travel, through the forests 
fouraey. and over the most rugged parts of the Alleghanies, 
was about five hundred and sixty miles. On the 
way, his horse failed ; he nevertheless proceeded 
with a single companion on foot, with a gun in his 
hand, and his shoulder hurt hened with a pack. On 
the 13th of December, he reached the French fort, 



quence 
of this 
answer? 



CKap.XV. FORT NECESSITY. 177 

on French creek, and delivered his letter to ihe 1-754 
commander. 

9. In a few days he received his answer and re- ^^j^.^^ 
turned to Williamsburg. The reply of the com- ZlVof 

tiiG 

mandant was. that he had taken possession of the French 

' ^ ^ *■ corn- 

country, under the direction of the governor-general mandano 

of Canada, to whom he would transmit the mes- ^^,,^1 

sage, and whose orders he should obey. This re- wei'e"!^^'' 

ply not being satisfactory, the British ministry, on conse 

being made acquainted Avith the determination of 

the Frencli, instructed the Virginians to resist the 

encroachments by force of arms. 

10. Troops were accordingly raised in Virginia, 
which were joined by an independent company 
from South Carolina, amounting in all to about 
four hundred men. The command of the expedi- 
tion was given to Washington, who in April, 1754, ^'^^^j 
marched into the territory in dispute. Meeting at pejl 
Great Meadows a French force that had been sent 
out to intercept his retreat, he attacked and de- 
feated them. At this place he erected Fort Neces- 
sity, and after having been reinforced with troops 
from New York and Carohna, he proceeded toward ^id he 
Fort Du Cluesne, situated at the confluence of the 
Alleghany and Monongahela rivers. 

11. Hearing that De Villiers was approaching 
from this fort at the head of nine hundred men, he 
thought best to retire to Fort Necessity and await 
reinforcements. Here the enemy, one thousand what 

/» 1 1 1 11 1 success! 

five hundred strong, soon appecj'ed, and commenced 
a furious attack on the fort. After an engagement 
of several hours, De Villiers offered honorable terms 



ex- 
ition 



Whithei 
did he 
proceed 



-8* 



.78 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. Part 1. 

17 54: of capitulatioiij which Washington accepted, and 

returned with his troops to Virginia. 
For what 12- In the same year, delegates from seven of the 
SiKfe- colonies assembled at Albany for the purpose of 

gates as- . r r ' i i • • i i ot • tvt • 

at Aibl- formmg a treaty of niendship with the oix JNations. 

"^' After accomplishing this business, they proceeded to 

adopt a "plan of union,^ similar in its construction to 

the present Constitution of the United States, to be 

submitted to the colonial legislatures and to parha- 

What is ment for their approval. This plan was rejected 

thepfan by parliament, bccausc they considered it gave too 

posed? ^^^^^ power to the people. It was rejected by the 

colonies, because it placed too much power in the 

hands of the king. 

How did 13. England was already jealous of the colonial 

already asscmbhes, and saw in them a spirit which, unless 

view the . . , ^ ^ 

colonies? checked m its embryo state, might soon become too 
powerful for hsr control. 

The colonies having failed in their plan of union, 
England determined to carry on the war with the 
French, which Avas now inevitable, with her own 
troops, aided by such of the colonists as chose to 
join them. 

yjien 14. In the sprinsr of 1754, General Braddock 

did Gen. . 

dock"ar- arrived from Ireland, with a large force of English 
whatls"^ troops, with the authority of commander-in-chief 
him? over the English and colonial forces in America. 
Shortly after his arrival, the governors of the sev- 
eral provinces met at his request to make arrange- 
what ments for the ensuing campaign. Three expedi- 
were*?e-^ tious weio rcsolvcd ou, onc agaiust Fortdu duesne, 
upon'? to be commanded b/ Braddock ; a second against 



Cliap. XV. BRADDOCK's DEFEAT. 179 

Niagara, under Governoi Shirley ; and a third i^si 
against Crown Point, under General Johnson. 

15. While preparations were making for these ^^^at 
expeditions, a plan, which had been previously plan waa 
formed for attacking the French in Nova Scotia, taken? 
was carried into effect. In May, Gens. Monckton 

and Winslow at the head of about three thousand 
men sailed from Boston, and in June arrived at 
their place of destination. The resistance of the 
enemy was slight, and the English in a short time 
gained possession of the whole province, with the 
loss of only three men. 

16. The preparations of General Braddock in whywu 

Brad- 

Virginia proceeded slowly, owing to the difficulty dock'de- 
of obtaining horses, wagons, and provisions, so that ^js pre 
it was on the tenth of June before he was able to ^^°"^' 
leave Fort Cumberland. Wishing to proceed as 
rapidly as possible toward Fort du Quesne, he 
marched on wdth twelve hundred troops, leaving 
the baggage under the command of Col. Dunbar, 
with directions to follow as rapidly as possible. 

17. Braddock was a brave man, possessed of 

•1- 1 -n I 1 1 . 1 . What 18 

great military skill ; but educated in the science ^a^»jj of 
of war as then taught in Europe, he knew but lit- Jock? 
tie of Indian warfare. He was strict in the camp, 
but his strictness was tinctured with severity, and 
his severity approached to arrogance. Unfortu- 
nately for him, he entertained the most supreme 
contempt for the colonial troops, and the advice of ?e°treft' 
the American officers ; so that when Washinorton, yice of- 

' . feied by 

who was his aid-de-camp, suggested the propriety • 
of employing the Indians as scouting and advance 
parties, he disdained the advice, which, if followed, 



Wash- 
ington 



180 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 



Part 1 



1755 would have saved his army, and changed a shame- 
ful defeat into a glorious victory. 

18. Taking none of the necessary precautions to 
vsThat insure his safety, on the 9th of July, within a few 
?on1;e-^ miles of the fort, he fell into an ambush of French 

quenceof . 

Sessf ^" ^^^^ Indians, i he bnglisn troops, panic struck as 
they heard the war-whoop of the Indians, broke their 
ranks, and would have fled, but Braddock rallied 
them and sought to preserve a regular order of bat- 
tle ; thus were they kept cooped up like sheep — fair 
marks for their unseen enemy. 

19. The slausfhter was dreadful. Every officer 

^ha*»« 111 . Txr 1 • ^ 

thehtt ^^^ horseback excepting Washington w^as shot 
'^^^ down; and he, riding over every part of the field, 
had two horses shot under him, and four balls 
lodged in his coat. The Indians afterward assert- 
ed that they had repeatedly fired at him with rifles 
which never missed the mark before ; but at length 
Wash- they were convinced that he was shielded by the 
dunng Great Spirit, and that no balls could harm him. 
tie? God preserved his life to be a leader in the great 

struggle of his country for liberty. 
Of Brad- ^^- Braddock, undismayed amid the continual 
dock? shower of bullets, encouraged his men by his coun- 
tenance and example. At length, after having had 
three horses shot under him, he received a mortal 
What wound. After his fall, the regular troops fled in 
Smy ^ confusion, and were only saved from complete de- 

from to- ' 1 /- 1 1 

stricUon? struction by the coolness of the bravest provincials 

under the command of Washington, who covered 

their retreat. Sixty-four officers out of eighty-five, 

S^weT and more than half of the privates were killed or 

wound- wounded. The army continued to retreat until 

edi •^ 



Cliap. XV. 



CROWN POINT. 181 



it reached Fort Cumberland. Col. Dunbar, on it 5^ 
whom the command devolved, then withdrew ihe 
regulars to Philadelphia, leaving the frontiers of 
Virginia exposed to the attack of the French and 
Indians. 

21. The expedition against Niagara, under Gov- what is 
ernor Shirley, met with so many delays, that they Jjjtlon^® 
did not reach Oswego until late in August, and rfSa 
then the autumnal rains setting in, and the Indian 
allies deserting the camp. Governor Shirley thought 

it expedient to relinquish the design. 

22. The troops for the expedition against Crown ^hatof 
Point, numbering about six thousand, under the d^on^^* 
command of General Johnson, assembled in Albany crown 

' ^ Point? 

the last of June, where they were joined by the 
Mohawks under their sachem Hendrick. In July 
they were collected at the carrying place, between 
the Hudson river and Lake George, under General 
Lyman, the second in command, when a small fort 
was built and named Fort Edward. In the latter 
part of Ausrust, General Johnson arrived, and tak- farther, 

\ ^ . ' said of iU 

ing command, removed his forces to the head of 
Lake George, for the purpose of attacking a fort 
which the enemy were erecting at Ticonderoga. 

23. Shortly after his arrival at this place, he was 
attacked by the Baron Dieskau, who, at the head 
of two thousand Frencli and Indians, was proceed- 
ing from Crown Point to attack Fort Edward, when 

he received intelligence of the position of Johnson, Dies^kiu*^ 
and changed his route to surprise him. The sud-hlrroutij? 
denness of the attack at first caused the Americans 
to waver ; but soon rallying, they repulsed the foe 
with great slaughter. The Baron, pale and bleed 



182 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. Parti 

1T55 ii^gj was found by a soldier near the close of the 
battle, sitting against a tree. While feeling in his 
pocket for his watch for the purpose of surrender- 
wa^^the ing it, the soldier, supposing him to be in search 
Die.-kau.i of a pistol, fired and killed him. The poor re- 
mains of his army halted in its flight at French 
mountain, where they were the next day cut off by 
Of his ^ detachment from Fort Edward, and their dead 
*^^^ bodies thrown into a lake, since called the "Bloody 
Pond." General Johnson having left garrisons at 
Forts WiUiam Henry and Edward, retired to Albany 
and dispersed his army to their respective provinces. 
24. Although this bloody warfare had continued 
1756. for a considerable length of time in America, war 
was not formally declared by Great Britain until 

When 

was^ war May, 1756, and by France until the following 
declared? ^Qouth. At a council of governors held in Albany^ 
What it was determined to raise from the several colonies 
termintd twcnty-ouc thousaud men, and to direct their en- 

atacoun- • i • i i • > 

ernwITn ^^'g^^^ durmg the year toward the reduction of 
Albany? Qj-q^^jj Point, Niagara, and Fort du Quesne. 

What 25. Lord Loudon was appointed by the crown 

com- A * '■' 

werelp- commander-in-chief of all forces in America ; but 
pointed? Q^yij;^g i^Q necessary delay. General Abercrombie 
preceded him and took the command. Abercrombie 
arrived in June, but thinking the forces in readi- 
ness too small for the emergency, deemed it pru- 
dent to await the arrival of Loudon, which took 
Baif of pls^ce in July. Both officers were inefficient, and 
^mV^*' by their delays allowed the French not only time 
to strengthen their posts, but to attack those of the 
English. 
26. Early in August, the Marquis Montcalm crossed 



Cliap. XV. FORT WILLIAM HENRY. 183 

Lake Ontario, with more than five thousand 17^56 
French and Indians, and with between thirty and ^.j^^ ^^ 
forty pieces of cannon, attacked Fort Ontario on of Mmu- 
the east side of the river, at Oswego. The garrison exped.. 
in a short time, finding their number reduced to 
fourteen hundred men, and their commander. Col. 
Mercer slain, were forced to capitulate. One hun- JS'sg^Jid 
dred and thirty-four pieces of cannon, with a larffe iish IS- 
amount 01 military stores and several ships in the gjj^?"* 
harbor, fell into the hands of the enemy. 

27. In June 1757, Lord Loudon sailed from New 1757. 
York, with six thousand regular troops, to attempt what i> 
the capture of Louisburg. On the 30th of the same ^^[,^^,^,3 
month, he arrived at Hahfax, where he was rein- tS^fn* 
forced by a naval armament under Admiral Hol- 
burn, but learning that a French fleet had arrived why dm 

^ he aban- 

and that the fort was strongly garrisoned, he aban- <^o" '^^ 
doned the expedition, and returned to New York. 

28. In the mean time, Montcalm had collected his JS^J^^ 
forces at Ticonderoga, marched against Fort Wil- ca?m". 
liam Henry, and compelled it to surrender. The gar- {jj^^'^^" 
rison were to be allowed to march out with the hon- what is 

said of 

ors of war, and rejoin their countrymen ; but Jg^^e^of 
the Indians violated the stipulation, and butchered Ham^*^' 
a ffreat number of them. It is said that Mont- ^TT 

^ of the 

calm endeavored to prevent the massacre, but he ofthein- 
was held responsible for the act, and there was ac- Mont-^"^ 
cordingly aroused in the breasts of the colonists a 
deep thirst for vengeance that called for more vigor- 
ous measures against the enemy. 

29. Hitherto, disaster and disgrace had marked 
most of the operations against the French, cspe- 
r\ally on the part of the English oflScers and theii* 



iS4 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 



Parti. 



1758 troops. The British nation was indignant at the 
What mismanagement of the war, and the king was 
wa^"^® obKsred to change his councils. William Pitt 

made in ^ ° 

ibh a^" (afterward Lord Chatham) was intrusted with the 
^j[yS^"^ pubhc helm. His active mind and enterprising 
genius, seemed to be infused throughout the 
Mi/ of empire, through the senate and the people, the 
army and the navy. Lord Loudon was recalled, 
and General Abercrombie appointed commander- 
in-chief, 
^hatex- 30. Three expeditions were planned ; one of 
Jknned? twclvc thousaud mcu against Louisburg ; one of 
sixteen thousand against Ticonderoga and Crown 
Point ; and one of eight thousand, against Fort 
du duesne. 
Give an On the expedition against Louisburs;', Admiral 

account / ^ ^' 

o*'jAd^i- Boscawen sailed from Halifax, May 28th, with a 
SpeTi-^ fl^^^ ^f thirty-eight armed vessels, and an army 
of twelve thousand men under the command of 
Gen. Amherst. 
What is 3L On the 26th of July, after a vigorous resist- 
Jcndlfof ^'^c^ this fortress was surrendered, and with it five 
bu?gT thousand seven hundred and thirty-seven prisoners 
of war, and one hundred and twenty cannon, be- 
sides which the French lost five ships of the line 
What is ^^^ ^*^^^^* fi'ig^tes. During this siege Wolfe served 
Wolfe? next in command to Amherst, and displayed those 
traits of character which afterward covered his 
name with glory. 
With 32. In the mean time. General Abercrombie, at 

how ma- 

dfd Aber- ^^^ head of 15,000 men, 9,000 of whom were pro- 
roa??h^ vincials, was advancing against Ticonderoga. On 
Tlco"nde- the 5th of Julv, he embarked on Lake George, and 

;oga? ^ ' * ' 



Chap. XV. FORT DU QUESNE. 185 

on the following morning landed near the head of 1^5^ 
the lake, and proceeded through the woods with wha7~ 
great difficulty toward the fortress. On approach- Ife^tlkt*? 
ing- the fort, a skirmish ensued in which Lord Howe >^,K^^ 
w^as killed. Respected and beloved by the whole ml^has 
army, his death threw them into confusion, and proLh'ed 

'' ' . the fort ? 

they fell back to the landing-place ; but on the 8th ^j^^t ef- 
they pressed on w4th all their force to attack the hifdeath 

^ produce 7 

fort. 

33. After a fierce and bloody contest of more 
than four hours, and a loss of two thousand men, Describe 

' ' the sec- 

Abercrombie was obliged to raise the siege and re- ^d.^" 

tire to the head of Lake George. From this place 

he dispatched Col. Bradstreet with an army of three said^of 

11 • x-i T-i • theexpe- 

thousand men agamst Fort trontenac, situated on ^^j^JJ^f 
the present site of Kingston, at the outlet of Lake ftreei 
Ontario. He crossed the lake from Osweo^o, and lort"^ 

Mil/- 1 TV- Fronte- 

m two days compelled the lort to surrender. JNme nac? 
aimed vessels, and a large quantity of stores and 
goods, w^ere a portion of the reward reaped by the 
gallant soldiers. 

34. The expedition against Fort du duesne, of the 
consisting of nine thousand men, left Philadelphia ^^^.^^^ 
early in July, under the command of General QuesnS? 
Forbes. The French attacked an advance party 
under Major Grant and killed three hundred men ; 

but as General Forbes with the main body of the 
army approached, the enemy deserted the fort and 
fled in boats down the Ohio. Possession was taken 
of the fort next day, and in honor of Mr. Pitt, its 
name was changed to Pittsburgh. The Indians ^^^^ 
from the West soon after concluded a treaty of wtf then 
neutrality with the English, and the campaign with the 



186 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 



Part I. 



1T59 closed with more honor and benefit to the English 
than any preceding one. 

35. The campaign of 1758 had been so success- 
ful, that the vigorous mind of Pitt marked out a 
bold plan for the ensuing year worthy his great 
genius. It was the dispossessing the French of the 
whole of their American territory. To effect this 
desim, three laro^e armies were to be led at the same 

What . ° ' . , r 1 . ^ 

^Sions ^^^^^ against three of then* strongest posts. One, un- 
pinned der General Wolfe, was to ascend the St. Lawrence 



tor the 



cam- and lay sietJ^-eio Quebec ; the second, under General 

'^'^s? Amherstj was to attack Ticonderoga and Grown 

Point, and then by the way of Lake Champlain 

and the St. Lawrence, unite with the forces of 

Wolfe ; and the third, after the reduction of Niagara, 

was to proceed down Lake Ontario and the St. 

Lawrence and attack Montreal. 

What is ^^- General Prideaux, who commanded the ex- 
said of 



the ex- pedition against Niagara, reached that fort on the 

pedition 
against 
Niagara ? 



a|ainT 6th of July, by the way of Oswego, and com- 



menced the siege. Near the beginning of the attack 
he was killed by the bursting of a shell, and the 
command devolved on Sir William Johnson. Soon 
after, he met twelve hundred French and Indians, 
who were marching to the relief of the place. He 
defeated them and immediately gained possession 
of the fort. 
Of the 37. General Amherst, who had been ap})ointed 
tllinit to the command of the expedition aeainst Ticon- 

Ticonde- . . 

roga? deroga, arrived before that place with about 11,000 
men on the 22d of July. It was immediately 
abandoned by the enemy. Having: strengthened 



Cliap. XV. 



SIEGE OF aUEBEC, 



\h7 



Ticonderoga, ihe army next proceeded against i-^sq 
Crown Point, and took quiet possession of it, the 
enemy having fled to the Isle aux Noix, 

38. The expedition against duebeCj under the Against 
command of General Wolfe, was the most daring of ^"^ "* 
any in the records of English warfare, and its con- 
quest might almost be considered a miracle of war. 
Nature and art seemed to have combined to render 

the fortress impregnable. So great was its strength 
that it was rightly called the Gibraltar o\ America. 
Yet the daring mind of Pitt had planned its con- pTiJi^neu*^ 
quest and selected to carry out those plans the ditioa? 
brave and gallant Wolfe. The result showed that 
he was not mistaken in the character of the man. 

39. Embarking at Louisburg with eight thou- 
sand men, under convoy of Admirals Saunders and 
Holmes, Wolfe landed with his troops in the latter 
part of June on the island of Orleans, a little below 
Gluebec. Here he reconnoitered the position of the 
enemy, and could easily perceive the difficulties 
with which he had to contend. Before him arose 



VICINITY OF aUEBEC. 



Quebec is situated at the 
confluence of the river St. 
Charles with the St. Lawrence, 
about 400 miles fronn the ocean. 
It has a deep, sate, and capa- 
cious harbor, sutncient to con- 
tain one hundred sail of the 
line. It was an immense for- 
tification, situated on a high 
rock, and stiong'y fortified, both 
by nature and art. From its 
great strength, it was rightly 
called the Gibraltar of America. 
The appearance of the English 
army berore its walls, gave the 
French but little uneasiness, 
for they considered the place 
impregnable. A more minute 
description of the place is given 
in the following page, in the 
account of its capture by 
Wolte. 




188 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. Parti. 

1T59 Quebec, situated on the north side of the St. Lavv- 
^~^ rencc, and divided into an vipper and lower town. 
tiJfn^and" 40. The lower town was situated between the 
ofaSe- river and a lofty eminence running parallel with 
the river far to the westward. The upper town 
was situated upon a large plain which spread out 
on the top of this eminence. Below or east of 
the city, the river St. Charles flowed into the St 
Lawrence, its mouth guarded by armed vessels. A 
short distance farther down, is the river Montmo- 
rency ; and between these, two rivers reaching from 
Where quc to the othci*, and in the city was encamped the 

was the ' '^ a 

armTen- Frcuch army of thirteen thousand men under the 

campe ? ^.Q^j^-^g^^^J ^f Moutcalm. 

What 41. Wolfe took possession of Point Levi, on the 

move- 

wdfe^'"^ bank of the river opposite Quebec, and with bat- 
make? i^gj.jgg ^vhich he erected there, destroyed the low^er 
town, but the distance was so great that no effect 
could be produced on the chief defenses of the city. 
Wolfe, therefore, determined to leave this position, 
cross the St. Lawrence and land below Mont- 
morency, and then passing that river to attack the 
French general in his intrenchments. 
SSdOTe 42. Accordingly on the 31st of July, General 
fist of Monckton with a large nmnber of troops, crossed 
the river and effected a landing a short distance 
above the Montmorency, where they were to be 
joined by Generals Townsend and Murray, who 
were to ford the stream at low water. But the 
^id^of^ English grenadiers galled by the fire of the French 
iShfr"en- artillery, rushed tumultuously up toward dic in- 

adiers? , . , . . - , , 

trenchments without waiting for the troops who 
were to sustain them. Their courage proved their 



Chap. XV. ^lEGE OF aUEBEG. 189 ^ 

ruiiij for a close and well-directed fire from the 1759 
enemy cut them down in great numbers. They ^^hywas 
fell back in confusion, after sustaining a loss of five com-^ 
hundred rnen, night approached, a heavy thunder- ji 



com- 
pelled to 



ith- 
draw his 



Storm set in, and Wolfe was compelled to give up ^'^^^p^' 
the attack, and withdraw his troops. 

43. Disappointed thus far, and worn down with 
fatigue and marching. General Wolfe fell violently slid^'of* 
sick. Sc^trcely had he recovered, however, before woife? 
he proceeded to put in operation a plan he had 
fonned on his sick bed. This was to gain the }jjf " ^'^'^ 
heights of Abraham, and draw Montcalm to a gene- Sl'h^s'^ 
ral engagement. The camp at Montmorency w^as 
broken up, and the troops and artillery removed to . 
Point Levi, while to conceal their intention, the 
admiral retired a number of miles up the river. 

44. On the night of the 12th r' September, the Howwa^ 
troops in boats glided silentl}^ down the river, and executed? 
landed within a mile and a half of the city, an horn- 
before day-break. Wolfe leaped on the shore fol- 
lowed by his men, and immediately began to as- 
cend the precipice. The guards were dispersed, 

and by the dawn of day, Wolfe with his little army fj^^jge" 
of five thousand men stood on the heights of Abra- woifp^» 
ham, in bold defiance of Montcalm and his over- 
whelming force. That was a proud moment for 
the leader of those gallant troops, but little did he 
dream as he thought of the coming conflict, that 
before night his body would be stretched cold in 
death on that bloody field. 

45. Montcalm could hardly credit his own senses, ^hatw 

said of 

as he beheld the firm battalions of the English JJf^^- 
ariny drawn up in battle array on so advantageous 



190 



FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. t art Ii 



M59 ^ position. He saw that an engagement was inev- 
itable, for unless they could be driven from their 
position, duebec was lost. "I see them," said he, 
" where they ought not to be, but since we must 
fight, I will go and crush them." And immediately 
with his whole army, he crossed the river and ad- 
vanced to the attack. 

46. Wolfe, in the beginning of the battle, was 
struck by a musket ball in the wrist, but binding 

S^V/ his handkerchief around it, he continued to encour- 
durini asre his men. Shortly after he received another 

the bat- ° . . / 

*'*^^ ball in the groin ; this he also concealed, placed 

himself at the head of his grenadiers, and was 

. leading them to the charge, when he received a 

mortal wound. Col. Monckton was dangerously 

wounded b}^ his side, and the command devolved 

Of Mont- upon Townsend. About the same time, Montcalm 
received a mortal wound, and his second in com- 
mand also fell. 

47. Wolfe, on receiving his last wound, was car- 
ried to the rear of the line ; there, leaning on the 
arm of an officer for support, he was seized with the 

Describe agouics of death. At this moment was heard the 
momfnts distant shout, " Thei/ Jly^ they fly ! " The dying 
twocom- hero raised his drooping head, and eagerly asked, 

manders. I o J o J 7 

^^'Who fly?" On being told, "The French,'^ 
"Then," he replied, "I die happy;" and expired. 
Montcalm lived to be carried to Quebec, and when 
informed that his wound was mortal, he replied, "I 
shall not then live to see the surrender of Quebec." 

jWhen 

citV^stir. Five days after the battle the city surrendered. An 
endor? j^^^^^j^p^ ^^g^g i^ade by the French to retake it i^ 
760. the following springy but it was unsuccessful. 



CHap.XVI, TREATY OF PEACE. 191 

48. Shortly after, they were compelled to evacu- it 63 

ate Montreal, and were driven from all the important 

posts in Canada. In 1763 a treaty of peace was con- when 

eluded in Paris, by which France ceded to Great Se 

1 . con- 

Britain all her northern settlements in America, f^^lf^^^ 

The bloody war which had so long raged upon the cedSi to 

American frontiers, was at length closed, and the bSh? 

provincial soldiers returned to their homes to enioy what 

r ^ J »f ^vas the 

a short respite of peace before they again took the "fruLie 
field. The next struggle in which we shall see provin- 
them engaged, will be the struggle for liberty against diera^. 
the tyranny of England. 



CHAPTER IVL 

CAUSES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 

1. We are now to detail the causes of events, whai 
the most interesting of any in the history of the hive we 

1 ^ now to 

world ; the overthrow of tyranny and despotism in ^^^'^^^^ 
the United Colonies, and the erection there of an 
altar, sacred to liberty. A dark cloud had hung 
over the nations of the Old World for more than a was the 

condition 

thousand years. The rulers were the rich and the w^fd^^** 
great, and the rod of empire was swayed by them thrnev 
with no gentle hand. The groans of the down- 
trodden and oppressed arose faintly through the 
gloom which surrounded them, yet they entered 
the ear of the Most High, and he, in his own good 



192 CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 



Part I. 



t^Q^ lime formed a plan for the civil and religious 

emancipation of the world. 
v^'h-it 2. A new era was to commence in the West. 
basVof The linkj which for ages had bound England to 
einment Amcrica, bv the corroding^ influence of evil minis- 
[].o v-esfc"? ^^1*^5 ^^^^ to be broken ; a new government was to 

be formed, based on the principles of justice to all, 

in which the voice of the lowest as well as the 

highest could be heard. 
What 3. The causes of the great American Revolution. 

.4u?eso1* which ended in the firm establishment of our lib- 

the Rev- .,.,., 

oiution? erties, lay m the jealousy, tyranny, and oppression 
What is o^ ^^^ English government. The British king, 
theV^t- hke Rehoboam, '' forsook the counsel which the old 
'"^' men gave him, and took counsel with the young 
men, that were brought up with him, that stood 
before him," and, in effect, said to the colonies 
"Whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, 
I will put more to your yoke : my father chastised 
you with whips, but I will chastise you with scor- 
whatdid pions." And "when the people saw that the king 
pie dot would not hearken unto them, they took counsel 
among themselves, and a shout went up from 
every hill and valley, city and hamlet, mountain 
and plain, from the rock of Plymouth, to the 
lagoons of Florida, ' To your tents, O Israel !' " 
^rjj^t 4. They had freely expended their blood and 

coitni^is treasure for the maintenance of the power of the 
the' Brit. British crown. They had rushed to the battle-field 
Brown? ^^^ endured every hardship, when the home gov- 
ernment demanded their aid, and then patienti) 
submitted to manifest wrong from the very hand 
their loyalty and prowess had strengthened. They 



Ckiap. XVI. SYSTEM OF TAXATION. 193 

had ever regarded England with reverence and i^ye^ 
affection, and never dreamed of leaving the pater- ^^ 
nal roof, until the unholy chastisement of a parent's telardl" 
hand alienated their love, expelled them from the 
threshold, and compelled them to seek shelter and whatdid 

^ *■ ^ ^ her treat- 

security behind the bulwarks of a righteous insur- ^If 

,.^^*4^^ them to 

rection. do? 

5. In the early period of their colonial existence, 
Great Britain had troubled them but little about not Eng-' 

land trou- 

their internal policy, being satisfied with a monop- \^^^ ^^ 

oly of their trade. She wished also to obtain pe?io(?'oi 
, . . . ^ 1 'PI their co- 

then* assistance m the prosecution oi the warioniaiex 

^ istence 1 

against the French. 

The colonies had increased in strength and pop- how had 
ulation, and the war ended in the acquisition of a ended? 
vast amount of territory to the English crown. ^^^^^ 
Then when prudence would have dictated a relaxa- wouil 
tion of their authority, they rose in their demands KLVdS 

*'■'.•' . tated to 

and increased their restraints. They imposed heavy {fsf^^amj 
and crushing taxes to pay off a national debt of courL 
more than one hundred and fifty million sterling, take?^ 
They forgot that the Americans were descended 
from the same forefathers as themselves, and heirs 
to the same rights. 

To bearing their share in the expenses of the ^^ ^^^^ 
war, the colonies had made no objections ; but they cofon^sl. 
did object to that system of taxation in which they **^^^*^'' 
had no right to be heard. 

6. In 1765, Lord Grenville having previously given what 

' ^ ^ . scheme 

notice of his intentions to the American agents m ^'J'X^ec 
London, introduced into parliament a long-cheiished jiam^nt 
scheme for the purpose of raisinsr a revenue from "mi by 

° whom! 

the American colonies by means of a stamp duty. 

9 



194 CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. Part I. 

tTGS Petitions poured in against it from the Americans, 
How was ^"d at first it met with a strong opposition in the 
ceivld-n House of Commous. 

the 

House? 7, Charles Townsend, at the close of an eloquent 
What speech on the side of the ministry, asked, "And 
"tmarS® tliosc Amcricaus, children planted by our care. 
lendTn' uourislied by our indulgence, and protected by our 
Ho^seofarms until they have grown up to a degree of 
mons? strength and opulence, will they grudge to con- 
tribute their mite to relieve us from the heavy load 
of national expense which we lie under? " 
What 8. Col. Barre immediately arose and indignantly 
gpiy of exclaimed, " Children planted by your care ! No ! 
your oppression planted them in America. They 
fled from your tyranny into a then uncultivated 
land, where they were exposed to all the hardships 
to w^hich human nature is liable. 

9. " They nourished by your indulgence ! No ! 
They grew by your neglect. 

" They protected, by your arms ! They have no- 
bly taken arms in your defense ; they have exerted 
their valor amid their constant and laborious in- 
dustry for the defense of a country which, while 
its frontiers were drenched in blood, has yielded all 
its little savings to your emolument." He conclud- 
ed by saying that " the people were loyal, but would 
vindicate their liberties if they should be violated.' 

10. But the eloquence of Col. Barre and the 
remonstrance of the colonies could not change the 

wiplS? avaricious feelings of parliament, and the bill passed 

ikiarchs. by a large majority. Short-sighted legislators, poor 

readers of human nature, who did not see that in 

(he passage of an act so odious to the colonies, they 



CHap.XVI. STAMP ACT. 195 

were awakening an opposition and spirit of mde- i ^g^ 
pendence among them, which would materially ~" 
weaken their own power. The night after the bill 
passed, Dr. Franklin wrote to Mr. Charles Thorn- what did 
son, " The sun of liberty is set ; you must light up wri"e to 
the candles of industry and economy." Mr. Thom- Thom- 

•^ "^ son, and 

son answered, " I was apprehensive that other ^afhis 
lights would be the consequence, and I foresee the ^^^^' 
opposition that will be made. " 

11. By this act, no written instrument could be what 
legal unless stamped paper was used, which they provi- 
were compelled to purchase at an exorbitant price ^^^^^^^^ 
of the British agents. For a breach of this law fo^r"fts^ 
they were to be tried without j ury before any marine 
court in the colonies. The news of its passage how was 

. T^ 1. the news 

was received with sorrow and dismay. Parliament ^^J^^ 
had turned a deaf ear to their petitions, and showed by'^th?*^ 
by the passage of the act a determination to treat ^°"*^* 
them, not as English citizens, but as servants and 
slaves. They must either surrender without a to what 

•^ ^ alterna- 

struggle their liberty, or oppose strongly and firmly l^cy'^^^'^ 
the grasping avarice of a nation the most powerful "^"'^''^ 
in the world, and to which they had been accus- 
tomed to turn their eyes with fond affection as their 
'mother land." 

12. They were not long in making up their de- 
cision and proclaiming it to the world. The Vir 
srinian legislature was in session when the infor- 
mation arrived. Patrick Henry, then a young saJji.o[ 
man, but possessed of brilliant talents, opposed it "^^""^^ 
with all the strength of his great mind. He brought 
before the house five resolutions which were adopt- \f^^^^^ 
ed, and w^hich closed by declaring, " That any in- SScei'^^ 



1.96 CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. Part I. 

1T65 dividual, who, by speaking or acting, should assert 
or maintain that any class of men except the 
general assembly of the province, had a right to 
impose taxation, he should be considered an enemy 
to his Majesty's colony." 

13. In advocating these resolutions, he boldly 
What did denounced the poUcy of the British government, 
eating ^^d declared that the king had acted the part of a 
them? tyrant. Growing warm with his subject, and al- 
luding to the fate of other tyrants, he exclaimed, 
with flashing eyes and in thunder tones, " Csesar 
had his Brutus, Charles I. his Cromwell, and 

George III." " Treason ! treason !" arose from 

every part of the house. Pausing a moment until 
the tumult had ended, he added, "may profit by 
their example. If this is treason, make the most 
of it." 
W|je 14. Similar sentiments flew like lightning through 

^^n\; the other States. The tongues and pens of the 
trfk^^ citizens labored in kindling the latent sparks of 
patriotism. The press strongly opposed the innova- 
tion, and called upon the citizens to resist it. Be- 
J^j^at fore the proceedings in Virginia had become known 
theieliv ij^ Massachusetts, her legislature passed a resolu- 
MaTsa-^ tion lu favor of a continental congress, fixed a day 

chusetts . ^^ , ^ . . • -^j -XT 1 1 

passed m October lor its meetmer m JNew York, and sent 

prior to o . 7 

^^^' letters to the speakers of the other colonial legisla- 
tures requesting their concurrence. 

15. On the first Tuesday in October, delegates 

When from all the States excepting Virginia, North Caro- 

congress Una, Georgia, and New Hampshire, assembled in 

bie? New York, and agreed upon a declaration of rights 

asserting, in strong language^ their exemption from 



Chap. XVI. CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 197 

all taxes not imposed by their own representa- 1^65 
tives, their right of trial by jury, and drew up a how ma- 
petition to the king with memorials to both houses nfesvie're 
of parliament. The memorials were signed by all rented, 

* o *' and what 

tlie delegates excepting Thomas Ruggles of New dfd'they 
York, and Mr. Ogden of New Jersey. '^^'• 

16. On the arrival of the first of November, the 
day on which the obnoxious stamp act was to go 
into operation, hardly a sheet of the stamped pa- 
per w^hich had been sent to America could be 
found. It had been destroyed or re-shipped to Eng- 
land. The general aversion to the act was de- Sei^^^ 
monstrated in a variety of w^ays. In Boston, the toThe*' 

. . . ' stamp 

morning which ushered it into existence, spoke ^on-**®* 
forth the destroying agency, in the mournful accents ^^'^^^^^ 
of the funeral knelL Shops and stores were closed ; 
eflSgies of unpopular characters were paraded 
through the streets and burned. 

17. In Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the day ^^^^^ 
t\"as ushered in with strong evidences of hostility p^^^e in 
^nd grief. Notice having been given to the friends n^JJutix, 
of liberty to attend her funeral, a coffin inscribed 
with the word " Liberty, " was borne along in sol- 
emn procession to the grave. The muffled drums, 

the death march, the booming minute guns, and 
the tolling bells as they threw out their mournful 
tones upon the air, gave evidences of the greatness 
of their bereavement. On their arrival at the 
place of interment, a eulogium was pronounced 
upon the deceased. Scarcely was it ended before 
the coffin was taken up, the inscription was 
changed to " Liberty revived," the bells exchang- 



198 CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. part i, 

1T65 ed their melancholy for a joyous peal, and satis- 
faction appeared on every countenance. 
^vhatin 18- In New York, the act was printed under the 
YoXand title of "The folly of Enorland, and the ruin of 

indifter- . . "^ . ^ ' 

ent parts America," and distributed through the streets. 
country? j^ different parts of the country, the stamp-mast 
ers were compelled to resign their offices to prevent 
being mobbed. The stamp act was so formed 
that the penalty of disobedience would be no less 
than suspension of the whole machinery of the 
political and social order, and the creation of a state 
of anarchy. 
What ef- 19- Neither trade nor navigation could proceed, 
wSuid no contract could be legally made, no process 
S^^'^th? ^g^^^s^ ^1^ offender could be instituted ; no appren- 
couatry? ^.j^g could be indented ; no student could receive a 
diploma, nor even could the estates of the dead be 
legally settled, or the marriage ceremony performed, 
until the stamp duty was paid. By degrees, how- 
ever, things began to assume their usual course, 
and all kinds of business were transacted in open 
defiance of the act. 
S^^'" 20. Associations under the title of the "Sons of 



Eocia 
tions 



we"re Liberty," were formed in every part of the country. 
ind for' They denounced the stamp act as being an out- 
purrose? y^gQ Q^^ ^i^Q British constitution, and resolved that 
they w^ould defend those who fell into the hands of 
British tyranny, on account of their clinging to 
their rights as freemen. Merchants resolved to 
import no more goods from Great Britain until the 
act was repealed, and families denied themselves 
the use of foreign luxuries. 

21. The information of the violent proceedings 



Cliap. XVI. STAMP ACT REPEALED. 199 

of the colonies, was received in England with con- n^oo 
sternation and alarm. It was well that about this how did 
time Lord Grenville was dismissed, and the Mar- reclive"^ 
quis of Ror.kingham, a friend of the Americans, ap- news 
pointed in his place. He, with many others, felt '^^]l^l^ 
that tlie stamp act could only be enforced at thepkcein 
point of the bayonet, and that it must be repealed istry, S 

' . howdiJ 

or the death knell of their power would be tolled in ^^^y^ ^^^ 
America. IS' 

22. A proposition for its repeal was accordingly 
laid before parhament. Lord Grenville strongly Lord _ 
opposed it, and declared that to repeal the act would apposing 
disgrace the government and encourage rebellion, peli/''' 
He demanded when the Americans Av^ere emanci- 
pated, and by what reason they claimed exemp- 
tion in defraying expenses incurred in protecting 
them? 

23. Mr. Pitt arose to reply. In his speech he what 

^ / ^ ^ was Ml. 

said, " We are told America is obstinate — America ^l^^^ ''«* 
is in open rebellion. Sir, I rejoice that America 
has resisted. Three millions of people so dead to 
all the feelings of liberty as voluntarily to submit 
to be slaves, would have been fit instruments to 
make slaves of all the rest. 

24. " When, asks the honorable gentleman, were 
the colonies emancipated? At wliat time, say I in 
answer, were they made slaves? I speak from ac- 
curate knowledge, when I say the profit to Great 
Britain from the trade of the colonies is two mil- 
lions per annum. This is the fund which carried you 
triumphantly through the war. This is the price 
America sends you for protection ; and shall a 
miserable pensioner come with a boast that he can 



200 CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. Parf I. 

IT 66 fetch a pepper-corn into the exchequer at the loss 
of millions to the nation ? 

25. " I know the valor of your troops — 1 know 
the skill of your officers — I know the force of this 
country — but in such a cause, your success would 
be hazardous. America, if she fell, would fall like 
the strong man : she would embrace the pillars of 
the state and pull down the constitution with 
her. 

26. " Is this your boasted peace, not to sheathe 
the sword in the scabbard, but in the bowels of 
your countrymen ? The Americans have been 
wronged, they have been driven by injustice ! Will 
you punish them for the madness which you have 
occasioned ? No, let this country be the first to 
resume its prudence and temper ; I will pledge my- 

what self for the colonies, that on their part ani- 
dkT^'he mosity and resentment will cease. Upon the whole, 
conclude? j ^^jjj ^^jj ^^iq housc iu a few words, what is my 

opinion. It is that the stamp act be repealed, ab- 
solutely, totally, and immediately." 
Did the 27. The eloquence of Pitt and other kindred 
Housed spi^'ts ^^ length prevailed, and the bill passed the 
mo?s"? House of Commons, but in the House of Lords it 
met with violent opposition. Lord Camden, in 
were the advocatlug the cause of the colonies, said, " Taxa- 

remarks 

fen^T ^^^^ ^^^ representation are mseparable ; it is an 

House of eternal law of nature ; for whatever is a man's own 

is absolutely his own; no man has a right to take 

it from him without his consent. Whoever attempts 

to do it, attempts an injury ; whoever does it commits 

wTm Ihe ^ i*ol)bery." The bill of repeal, after a stormy de- 

Jiaff''®' bate, finally passed ; but accompanied with a decla- 



receiAed, 
in Eng- 



Cliap. XVI. NEW ACTS OF T\RANNY. 201 

ratoiy actj which declared that parUamen*. had a tTt>(5 
right to hind the colonies hi all cases whatever, 

28. The news of the rejeal was received with ^^.^uas 
Mhe liveliest expressions of gratitude and joy. All 

England joined in the applause. The ships in the iand? 
river Thames displayed their colors, and the city 
was illumined. In America, public thanksgivings ^^^^.^^ 
were held, English goods imported, and a general A"^«"^^' 
calm succeeded the storm which had raged so vio- 
lently. 

29. By the people of New England and New whm 
York, less joy and gratitude were displayed and felt, feeifngs® 
They feared, from the passage of the declaratory l^,^^fX 
act, that this was only a truce in the war against ^"^"^^^ 
American rights. In the mirror of the past they 

saw reflected the future, and trembled at the picture. 
The result showed that their suspicions were just, what 

11 •! •• 11 'xi* change 

A change m the ministry took place in July, in '". Mi^ 

^ ./ r J 1 ministry 

which the Marquis of Rockingham was removed, p^lJee in 
and a new cabinet formed under the direction of "^' 
Ml*. Pitt, afterward Earl of Chatham. 

30. In June, 1767, during the confinement of 1757. 
Mr. Pitt in the country by sickness, Charles Town- 
send, chancellor of the exchequer, brought before ^^^?^^ 
Parliament another plan for taxing America, by fKck. 
imposing duties on all tea, glass, and painter's col- SiTput 
ors, which should be imported into the colonies. 
The bill passed both houses with but little opposi- 
tion, and also another, appointing officers of the 
navy as custom-house officers, to enforce the act of J^^at 
trade and navigation. Previous to this new act of fRTfs' 
tyranny, the legislative power of New York had po^er of 
been suspended, until it should furni?^i the king's ^°nded7 

9* 



202 CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION* Parti. 

1168 troops with certain supplies at the expense of the 

colony. 
KS 31. Early in 1768 the general court of Massa- 
ofMassa- chusctts scnt a petition to the kinff, and addressed 

chusetts , ^ . . 

J^ggi" circular letters to the colonial assemblies, asking 

for their co-operation in obtaining the redress of 

th?min- their grievances. The ministry were alarmed, 

istrv (Ig- 

mandof and demanded of the court, that they should rescind 
court? |.]^g y^^Q directing circulars to be sent. The assem- 
ttie%ty- bly refused, and the governor dissolved them. This 
on'their attempt to intimidate did but strengthen the oppo- 

refusal? ^ to ri 

sition. 
S^of ^^- Shortly after this, a sloop belonging to John 
Seofa' Hancock was siezed by the custom-house officers, 
for violating some of the new commercial regula- 
tions. The houses of the officers were attacked 
by the people, and they compelled to leave the 
town. The refractory spirit of the citizens of Bos- 
what ton had been displayed on so many occasions, that 

was Gen. r J J 7 

Sctld'^to General Gage was directed to station a regiment 
^^' of soldiers in the city, to overawe the citizens, and 

protect the officers in the discharge of their duty. 
How ma- 33. Two rcffimeuts were accordingly ordered on 

ny regi- o »/ ^ 

JfveT^'^ from Halifax. On their arrival the troops landed 
dfd'they with loaded muskets and fixed bayonets, took pos- 
session of the state house, and planted two pieces 
of cannon at the principal entrance. The appear- 
How ance of an armed force in their midst served only 

were .... . 

looked ^^ excite the indignation of the inhabitants. They 
ihe'ciu^ saw the hall of legislation poll ated by the tread of 
whut^" foreign mercenaries. Soldiers paraded the streets 

reason * ' 

tbTthciT ^^^^ guards mounted at the corners challenged them 
•Jig 5°*^* as they passed. The din of martial music, and the 



CJiap. XVI. VIRGINIA RESOLUTIONS. 203 

roar of artilleryj broke in upon the quiet of their if 69 
sabbath, and their wives were exposed to insult 
from the soldiery, as they attended to the sacred 
duties of the sanctuary. 

34. Early in the following year, resolutions pass- what 
ed both houses of parliament, censuring, in thetfon"' 

^ ' °' passed 

Strongest terms, the conduct of the citizens of Mas- ^l^^fi^^ 
sachusetts, and directing the governor to make y'^ea^T"* 
strict inquiries, as to all treasons committed in that 
province since the year 1767, that offenders might 
be sent to England for trial. The legislature of 

,7-. . . , . ^1 , , What did 

Vu-gmia, on the receipt oi that order, passed I'^so- {hejegis. 
iutions denying the right of the king to remove do'oS'^ 
an offender out of the colony away from his home the""^ 
and his friends, for trial. The governor, on hear- 
ing of the resolutions, immediately dismissed the 
assembly. 

35. The members met in a private house, and J^^f^^ 
entered into a written agreement, not to import SlS^oi^ 
any of the taxed articles. Their example was dfsmlss- 

ed by the 

extensively followed. The assembly of Massachu- fnJ^^j^^i 
setts convened, but refused to proceed to business mintdid 
while an armed force surrounded the state house, tcMnto? 
and cannon were pointed at the door. The gov- ^l^'^^^i^ 
ernor refused to remove them, and they were ad- ofMaisi. 
journed to Cambridge. chusetu 

36. Toward the close of the session, the govern- 
or requested them to provide funds to pay for the 
quartering of the troops, but they refused, declaring 
that they would never make any provisions to sup- 
port a standing army among them, in times of 
peace. The governor, therefore, prorogued the as- 



of the 
riot 



204 CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. Part.. 

j^^^Qsembly, and was shortly after succeeded in oflSce 

by Governor Hutchinson. 

Whit DC- ^^' ^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^ March, an affray took place 

on"The between some of the regular troops and some rope- 

ofMarih? makcrs, in which the soldiers were beaten. Angry 

feelino^s were roused, and on the eveninof of the 5th 

a crowed of citizens attacked the city guards under 

Capt. Preston, pelted them with stones and snow 

Give »in ^ . ' 

Recount ballsj until the word to fire was given in return, 
when eight pieces w^ere discharged, three citizens 
were killed, and several wounded. The alarm im- 
mediately spread every where, the bells were rung, 
drums ' were heard, and the cry to arms was 
raised. 

38. The citizens assembled in crowds, and could 
only be dispersed by the governor promising them 
that justice should be done in the morning. The 
troops were removed from the city, and Capt. Pres- 

meni^^ tou and his men tried for murder. Although the 
most intense excitement prevailed in the place, yet 
such w^as the love of justice, that the soldiers we^^ 
ail acquitted excepting two, who Avere convicted of 
manslaughter. 

39. In Eno^land, on the very day of the com- 

Whatbill . . ^ ,? ' T 1 ^T 1 . 1 

North°in- i^i^^^iou of this outragc, jLord JNortn was appointed 
into"p!r- to the ministry. He introduced a bill into parlia- 
hament? ^^^^-^^^ which passcd ou tlic 12th of April, removing 
the duties that had been laid in 1767, excepting 
those on tea, but still declaring their right of taxing 
whatfi- the colonies. For a long time, no tea was imported, 
duced"' and the effect was beginning to be severely felt by 
mentto the Commercial part of Great Britain. Parhamenl 

remove * 

fmrr!''tL? therefore passed an act permitting the East Indin 



What be 
came of 
Preston 



Chap. XVI. 'TEA THROWN OVERBOARD. 205 

Company to import their teas into America free of 1773 
duty in England. 

40. The naked question of principle ou taxation ^hatis 
was thus presented. It was an insidious plan, but fhf^L 
the ener^sfv of the Americans foiled it most sipfnally. thus^pre- 

^•^ . sentedi 

Three pence a pound on tea was nothing, but 
the principle of tyranny was strong, and the re- 
sistance was as unyielding as though it had been 
an act of confiscation. Tea was accordingly 
shipped from England in vast quantities, but on 
its arrival, the people refused to receive it. In JJ[|5^^„ 
Charleston, the tea was landed, but not permitted vaiortha 
to be offered for sale; and being stored in damp 
cellars, finally perished. 

41. In Boston, a larcre company of men diss^uised whatdiu 
as Indians, went on board the ships during the pjf^^^^^ 
night and threw the cargoes into the water. Three ?tV^^ 
hundred and forty-two chests were thus broken 
open and the contents thrown into the harbor. 
Parliament, in order to punish the inhabitants of what did 

* parha- 

Boston, passed the " Boston Port Bill," which pre- ^^^'^J^^ 
vented the landing and shipping of goods at that h'abit"' 
place, and removed the custom house to Salem. ^"^ 
But the people of Salem refused to raise their for- whatdid 

'^ * , . the in- 

tunes on the ruins of their countrymen, and the ^j-|\^^,^ 
inhabitants of Marblehead generously offered them uehllT 
the use of their warehouses and harbor. 

42. In the following March, two other bills what ty. 

^ ^ rannical 

equally tyrannical passed both houses of parlia- {;[^J|^^j 
ment. One subverted the whole constitution and meluin 
charter of Massachusetts, taking all power out of loling 
the hands of the people, and vesting it in the 
crown. The other authorized the governor to 



206 CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 



Part I 



\l'j^ send to England or some other colony, for trial any 
person indicted for murder, or any other capital 
offence committed in aiding magistrates in the dis- 
charge of their duty. 
For what 43. Shortly after, General Gage arrived to super- 
did Gage sede Hutchinson as governor of the province, and 
also to enforce the odious "Port Bill." The as- 
resotu- sembly resolved that "the impolicy, injustice, inhu- 
the"as-^ manity, and cruelty of the act, exceed all our pow- 
pass? ers of expression," and declared that they would 
, leave it to the just censure of others, and appeal 
to the God of the world. 
w^hatdid ^^' ^^^ legislature of Virginia appointed the 
iaturepf Ist of Juuc, the day on which the act was to go 
doT"** into effect, as a day of fasting, humiliation and 
prayer, to implore God to give them one heart and 
one mmo? firmly to oppose by all just and prop- 
er means every injury to American rights. Gov- 
ernor Dunmore resenting this proceeding, dissolved 
the assembly. They, however, formed an associa- 
tion, resolved not to use any East India production, 
until the act was repealed, and concluded by pro- 
posing a " General Congress" of the colonies. 

When 45. On the 4th of Sep^^ember, the proposed con- 
did con- . ^ . ' , T . 
meet? g^'^^s, cousistmg of deputies from eleven colonies, 

assembled at Philadelphia. They passed a reso- 

JSSu: lution highly commending the conduct of Massa- 

they * , chusetts, iu the conflict with wicked ministers, and 

pass, and ' 

agree- ^xhortcd all to press on in the cause of liberty. 

itilfen^ They drew up a Bill of Rights — entered into an 

"°' agreement for themselves and for their constitu- 

what ents, to cease all importations from Great Britain, 

measures ' * 

St?^ and adopted measures for organizing committees 



Chap. XVI. MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY. 207 

in every town and city, to see that this agree- i>ii^ 
ment was enforced by every species of popular in- 
fluence. 

46. They addressed a letter to General Gage, 
entreating him to desist from military operations. 
They also voted an address to the king ; one to 
Great Britain, and another to Canada. Their peti- 
tion to the king entreated him in eloquence the most 
affectionate and respectful, to restore to them their 
violated rights, their rights as English freemen, ^hatdin 
In their address to the Enghsh people they de-cEfrefn* 
clared ''that they never would be hewers of wood dress fo' 

11 r n • • . . the Eng- 

and drawers of water, for any mmistry or nation m ^f^^p^*^" 
the world." 

47. This frank expression of feeling on the part 

of the colonists arouse'd the indignation of the ESnd* 
British government. America, they said, had long expres-^^ 
wished to become independent, and to prevent this, ^eeUng? 
was the duty of every Englishman, and that it 
must be done at every hazard. 

48. Boston Neck was fortified, and powder and ^^at 
other military stores in Cambridge and Charleston, Sf Sfefy 
by order of General Gage, removed to Boston. An adopts 
assembly was called in Massachusetts, but dissolved ^^^^^ 
by the governor. The members then met in Salem, alsembiy 
appointed a committee of safety, and supplied and chuS' 
sent messengers to New Hampshire, Rhode Island and what 

^ ^ ' action 

and Connecticut, asking for their assistance in rais- ttleY^ 
ing an army of twenty thousand men to act in an 
emergency. England, although she could distinctly 
see the upheaving of the violence of colonial indig- 
nation, refused to listen to the warning sound, and 
determined upon another act of oppression. 



208 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. p^^,^ I^ 

CHAPTER XVll. 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

1. Matters were now rapidly approaching a 
saki of crisis ; the spirit of resentment was being fanned 
wT$'sis ^^^^ ^ flame ; a dark and bloody cloud was hovering 
iimef over the land, and the great question was soon to 

be decided, whether they should be slaves or free- 
men, whether their names should be blackened 
with the stigma of rebellion, or handed down to 
posterity as the saviors of their country. 

2. On the 10th of February, a bill was passed 
bTu^^ restricting the commerce of the New England 
parnl- States, and forbidding^ them to fish on the banks 

ment on ' *-^ 

ofrlb-*^ of Newfoundland. The same restrictions soon 
ruary? ^{{qy extended to all the colonies. The people of 
What Massachusetts were pronounced rebels, and ten 

other ' ' 

fiuISs thousand men with several ships of the line ordered 
lowed"'" to America to enforce obedience. 

3. The committee of safety and supplies had 
^o^p^g^g^^ collected a large quantity of stores and ammuni- 
sm^ith"*^* tion at Concord, about twenty miles from Boston. 
pjtcairn* General Gage, deeming it advisable to obtain pos- 
to cSn-"^ session of them, sent out a detachment of eight hun- 
'"°'"'^- dred men, under the command of Col. Smith and 

Major Pitcairn. 

4. Notwithstanding the precaution of the British 
officers, to prevent the spread of the intelligence, 
the march of the troops had been made known by 



Chap. XVII. LEXINGTON. 209 

expresses and signal guns. On their arrival at 1775 
l4exington, five miles from Concord, they saw 
the militia of the place were drawn up to receive how du\ 
them. The regulars approached within musket pie ^fe°- 

CGIVC tilt) 

shot, when Major Pitcairn riding forward with ^^IfJl'^^ 
drawn sword, exclaimed, " Disperse, you rebels ! JJJyachT 
throw down your arms and disperse." Not being 
obeyed, he discharged his pistol, and ordered his thld?- 
soldiers to fire. They fired, and killed eight men stances 
and wounded several others. The rest dispersed, "^^^^'"«- 
but the firing continued. The enemy then pro- 
ceeded to Concord, and destroyed the greater part of 
the stores. 

5. The militia had in the mean time assembled 
and a skirmish ensued, in which a number were vvrhat 
killed. The British commenced their retreat, but ^"^"^"^^ 
were pressed on all sides by the now enraged 
Americans. 

At Lexington, they met Lord Percy, with a re 
inforcement of 900 men. They, however, contin- whowas 
ued their retreat. ^"^'^0"' 

6. The whole country was in arms. Every 
wall, house, and tree, contributed to shelter some 
exasperated New Englander. A perpetual fire was 
kept up in this manner, during the whole length of 
their weary and laborious march, until at night, 
with the loss of two hundred and seventy-three how 

•^ great 

men, they encamped on Bunker's Hill, under the Es o*}f" 
protection of the men of war, and the next day Bunke"? 
passed over to Boston. 

7. Intelligence of these events spread like wild 
fire through the country. The torch of war had 



210 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. pj^^^ I. 

1TT5 been lighted — blood had been offered on the allar 
y^y^.^^ of liberty : fearfully was the death of those patriots 
\y^T^ slain at Lexington and Concord to be avenged, 
events on Couriers galloped in every direction, beating a 
liuyT'^' drum, and shouting in tones, that thrilled every 
ear that heard, "To arms, to arms! hberty or 
death." The streets of Lexington and Concord 
have been soaked in blood, and the country is in a 
blaze. 
What is 8. Gen. Putnam heard it, and leaving his oxen 
Putnam? in the field, he stayed not to change his far- 
mer's dress, but springing on his swiftest horse, was 
soon seen speeding along the road to Boston. 
Those that saw that rough form fly past, knew 
that wild work would be done. Old asre with 
hands trembling from palsy, threw aside the cush 
ioned crutch, and grasped the deadly firelock. Me- 
chanics left their shops, and farmers the plough, 
and bursting away from their wives and children 
sped on to the field of battle, where liberty was to 
be bought with blood, 
yvi^at 9. Ill a few days a line of encampment stretched 

Sent of from Roxbury to the river Mystic, and the British 
camp- forces in Boston were environed by an army of 

ment J J 

formed? ^wcuty tliousaud men. In New Haven, on the 

news being known, Benedict Arnold, a druggist. 

What gathered around him a band of volunteers and 

fekl"^ marched on to the scene of strife. At Boston he 

formed the bold plan of seizing the important 

fortresses of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. 

10. Having received instructions from the com- 
raittee of safety to raise a sufficient number of men 



Chap. XVII, 



COL. ETHAN ALLEN. 211 



for the purpose, he marched on to Bennington, 1^75 
where he found that Col. Ethan Allen had collected ^^ho^ 
a large band for the same object. They marched fm^tSm 
on tos^ether at the head of three hundred men 
from Castle ton, and reached Ticonderoga on the 
10th of May. 

11. They advanced to the gateway, Arnold and oescnbe 
Allen entering side by side. A sentinel snapped fll^^^^ 
his fusee at Allen and retreated. Allen rushed up ImV' 
the stairs, and exclaimed in a voice of thunder as 

he reached the governor's room, "Come out here, 
you white-livered wretch, and surrender ! " The 
governor started up, and pale with terror, stammered 
out, "In whose name do you demand it?" "In 
the name," said Allen, " of the Great Jehovah and 
the Continental Congress !" 

12. This was high authority, and the governor 
immediately surrendered. They were equally sue 
cessful in obtaining Crown Point. By this fortu- JJ"^^/^^^ 
nate expedition, executed without bloodshed, they Sed 
gained possession of two important fortresses, more expedt 
than one hundred cannon, and a large quantity of 
ammunition. 

On the 10th of May, the Continental Congress 
again assembled at Philadelphia, and issued bills 1^'^^^^^^ 
^f credit to the amount of three miUions of dollars, g"rei?"n 
for defraying the expenses of the war, and pledged ^ 
tne faith of the United Colonies for their redemp- 
tion. 

13. In May, the British army in Boston received ^^ry^^^ 
reinforcements from England, under Generals Howe, mentl"^ 
Clinton and Burgoyne, w4iich, together with the Biwsh 
garrison, formed an army of more than twelve 



212 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Parti. 

17 75 thousand men. General Gage now proclaimed 
What niartial law throughout the State, offering, how- 
K^Gen"^ ever, to pardon all rebels who would return to theii 

allegiance excepting Samuel Adams and .lohn 

Hancock. 
What or- 14. The Americans, learning that General Gagf 
we?e was determined to penetrate into the country h\ 

given to it* ♦/ ^ 

prlscott ^^^ ^^y ^^ Charlestown Neck, issued orders to Col. 

andwhy? Pi-ggcott ou the evcniug of the 16th of June, to 
take one thousand men and form an intrenchment 
on Bunker's Hill, an eminence which commanded 
the neck of the peninsula of Charlestown. By 

What some mistake they went farther on and occupied 

was Breed's Hill. At midnii]^ht those stern-hearted men 

made, ^ ^ 

dFd^he7 stood on the top while Putnam marked out the line 
succeed? ^^ intrcuchments. By daylight they had con 

structed a redoubt eight rods square, in which they 

could shelter themselves. 
What 15. In the morning the English officers and the 

the next peoplc of Bostou could haidlv believe their eyes as 

mommg? r ir J J 

they saw this redoubt almost over their heads. All 
now was bustle and confusion ; and, in two hours' 
time, all the artillery of the city, the ships of war, 
and the floating batteries, were pointed against that 
single silent structure. The city shook to the thun- 
der of cannon, and that lonely height rocked under 
the bombs and balls which tore up its sides. Still, 
those hardy men toiled on as they never toiled be- 
fore, heedless of the iron storm that rattled around 
them, until by noon they had run a trench nearly 
down to the Mystic river on the north. 
What 16. The cannonading having failed to dislodge 

noon? them, about noon General Gasfe sent a body of 



Cliap. XVII. BATTLE OF BUNKER's HILL, 



213 



about three thousand men, under Generals Howe 
and Pigot, to carry the height by assault. They 
left Boston in boats, and landing at Moreton's Point, 
under the protection of the shipping advanced in 
two columns, setting fire to Charlestown on their 
w^ay, by w^hich act two thousand people w^ere de- 
prived of their habitations. 

17. The day w^as clear, not a cloud rested on the 
summer heavens. The soldiers on the hill gazed 
upon the moving mass below them with a stern and 
anxious eye. In the intervals of the roar of artillery, 
were heard the thrilling strains of martial music, 
while plumes danced and standards waved in the 
sunlight, and three thousand bayonets gleamed and 
shook over the dark mass below. 

18. A solitary horseman moved swiftly over the 



1115 



What 13 
said of 
the burn 
inj; of 
Charles- 
town ? 



What 18 
said of 
the bat- 
tle? 



VICINITY OF BUNKER S HILL. 




214 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. p^^^ j, 

IT? 5 J^iiJij ^i^d I'o^^ up to Putnam. It was General War- 
whatof ^'^^- " ^^^^ ^^7" s^i^ '^^j while his lips quivered 
wTrren? with the excitemcnt, " where the onset will he 
heaviest,''^ " At the redoubt," said Putnam ; " Pres- 
cottis there, and will do his duty." Away galloped 
Warren, and as he rode up to the intrenchments, a 
loud huzza rent the air. 
^hat 19. Nothing could exceed the excitement of the 

scene It scene at this moment. Stretched over that hill 
time? and out of sight lay fifteen hundred sons of Liberty, 
coolly awaiting the onset of the veteran thousands 
of England, and sternly resolved to prove worthy 
of the high destinies intrusted to their charge. 
The roofs and steeples and shores of Boston were 
black with spectators. Many of them had hus- 
bands, brothers, and lovers on the hill. At home, 
the earnest prayer went up to Heaven. With 
what intense longing each heart turned to the 
silent redoubt ! 
What or- ^^- The English advanced. Putnam rode along 
gfJen^y^ the liucs urgiug them not to fire until the com- 
'^"^"^'mand, and then aim at their tvaistbands. On 
came the battalions, stopping every few yards, to 
deliver their deep and regular volleys on the em- 
Describe bankments ; not a shot replied, but flashing eyes 
»e'- were there bent in wrath on the enemy, as they 
slowly ascended the hill and sternly closed foi 
the death struggle. That silence was more awful 
than the thunder of cannon — it told of carnage 
and death slumbering there. 

21. When the hostile columns had almost 
was the reached the intrenchments, the stern order "jpire" 

order ' ' 

^i-eT ^^ rung with startling clearness on the air. A sheet 



Chap. XVII. BATTLE OP BUNKER's HILL. 215 

of flame burst along that low dark wall, and down ^^^is 
went the enemy rank on rank, as that tempest of 
fire smote then* bosoms ; still the battalions strug- ^ 
gled against the deadly sleet, but all in vain. Fu- ^^^at 
rious with rage, the army broke and fled for the ^^f^"""^' 
shore. A loud huzza rose from the redoubt, which 
was answered by thousands of voices from Boston. 

22. The English ofl[icers rode swiftly among 
their flying troops, and finally succeeded in rally- oescriba 
ing them. Again the drums beat their hurried ^^'^'^^ 
charge, and the columns pressed gallantly forward. 

On, on they came, shaking the firm ground with 
their heavy tread, until they stood breast to breast 
with that silent redoubt, when it again opened and 
sent forth a tempest of fire and lead, sweeping away 
the firm-set ranks like mists, in its path. Rank 
after rank went down before that fire, until the 
bravest gave way and rushed furiously down the 
hill. Again the triumphant huzzas rocked the 
height, and the slopes of that hill turned red with 
flowing blood. 

23. At this critical moment, General Clinton ar- „,, 

^ ^ What ra- 

rived with reinforcements. By his exertions the jJIemTar- 
troops were again rallied, and a third time advanced "nl what 
to the charge. Throwing aside their knapsacks they pm- 
and reserving their fire, the soldiers, with tixed 
bayonets, marched swiftly and steadily over the 
heaps of their fallen companions, up to the in- 
trenchments. Only one volley smote them, for the 
Americans had fired their last cartridges and were 
without bayonets. Clubbing their muskets, they 
still beat back the enemy, until the order was given Describe 
to retreat. Putnam could not bear the idea of re- tf'eaJ'^' 



216 REVOLUTIONARY WAR 



Part I. 



1 1^15 treating, and attempted again to rally them. Find- 
ing his efforts in vain, he burst forth into a torrent 
What is of indignation. Warren, too, urged them to another 
Warren? effort. He reminded them that Heaven watched 
over their cause and would sustain their efforts. 
An English officer who knew him, snatched a 
musket from a soldier and shot him dead in his 
footsteps. 

24. The Americans retreated with little loss 
What is across Charlestown Neck, which was swept by 
the loss? cannon, and finally took up their station on Wintei 
and Prospect Hills, still maintaining the command 
of the entrance to Boston. The battle-field re 
^^^ mained in the hands of the English, but the victory 
Victors^ was ours. It had been a bloody day. Nearly two 
thousand slept in death on that height, fifteen hun- 
dred of whom were British soldiers. The news 
spread rapidly, and one long shout Avent up from 
every corner of the land. 
A^hat 25. In the mean time Congress had assembled at 

done in" Philadelphia. Once more they addressed letters to 

the mean ^ . , , . r r^ t» 

timehy t,he kms^, the mhabitants of Great Britam and 
gress? ii-eland, and at the same time published to the world 

the reason of their appeal to arms, 
whowas On the 15th of June, they elected Geoi'ge Wash- 
com- inffton by a unanimous vote to the hiffh office of 

mander- n j ^ o ^ 

in-chief? commander-in-chief of the United Colonies, and 
voted to raise an army of twenty thousand men. 
Washington, who was present, accepted the ap- 

waYh?'"^ pointment, expressing a sense of the high honoi 



mgion 
raceive 
his ap 

miSt? ^f ^he station. He refused to accept any compen- 



raceive wlilch hc had rcccived, and the vast responsibility 

his ap- ' 1 ^ 



Chap. XVII. APPOINTMENT OP GENERALS. 217 

sation for his services, merely asking that Congress i^ts 
would defray his expenses. 

26. In subordination to the commander-in-chief, ^^o 
Messrs. Ward, Charles Lee, Schuyler and Putnam, p^nteT 
were appointed major-generals ; Horatio Gates, ad- gene^ 
jutant-general ; and Messrs. Pomeroy, Montgomery 

and Wooster ; Heath, Spencer, Thomas, Sullivan 
and Greene, brigadier-generals. 

27. Soon after his election, General Washington, 
accompanied by Lee, proceeded to Cambridge to 
take command of the army, which amounted to how 
about fourteen thousand men. He found them full th?^" 
of love to their country, but without tents and am- 
munition, destitute of discipline, and averse to ^a^ftheir 
subordination. By his own energy and the assist- tk»S' 
ance of Gates, order and discipline were soon in- 
troduced ; stores were collected, and every thing 
provided for carrying on their operations. 

28. In July, Georgia chose delegates to Congress, Howma- 
increasing the number of the United Colonies to ^^^°^^^^ 
thirteen. ^^uir/" 

The British army was now closely blockaded in 
Boston, and Congress resolved to seize the opportu- congress 
nity of sending a force into Canada, and thus an- f^^/^ 
ticipating Sir Guy Carleton, the governor of that ^•^"^^*^* 
province, who was evidently preparing to attack 
the colonies. 

29. The army of invasion consisted of about 
three tnou&and men. Two expeditions were plan ww 
ned : one by the way of Lake Champlain, under the peditions 
command of General Schuyler, aided by Generals pi^^^eu? 
Montgomery and Wooster ; the other by the way 

of the river Kenebec, under the (x^mmand of Arnold. 

10 



218 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Part I. 



1TT5 30. Arnold's march of above forty days through 
What is the wildernesSj at the head of more than a thou- 
A?no?d'8 sand men, is one of the most stupendous things 
through in the annals of war. He marched through a 

the wil- ^ ^ ° 

derness? forest more than two hundred miles in extent, 
climbing mountains and scahng precipices, drench- 
ed with rains, and wasted with toil, enduring 
cold and hunger. Bonaparte fleeing from Mos- 
cow, Julian retreating across the desert, and Su- 
warrow over the Alps, are wonderful events in 
history ; but the wonder would have been tenfold 
greater, had they encountered these perils and 
hardships in marching after an enem}^, instead of 
fleeing before one. 

31. On the 9th of November, Arnold arrived at 
Describe Pojnt Lcvi, opposite (Quebec, and on the 13th 
aSebec. boldly led his men up the precipice, where Wolfe 
sixteen years before ascended to the field of his fame 
and his grave. Closing sternly around their leader, 
at early dawn these gallant troops stood in battle 
array upon the plains of Abraham. He sent a 
summons to the commander to surrender, which 
was treated with scorn. To have attempted to 
carry the place by storm, would have been mad- 
ness, he therefore withdrew his troops twenty miles 
above Quebec, and awaited the arrival of Mont- 
gomery. 
whom 32. A severe illness prevented General Schuyler 
mS'dde- f^*^^ goi^^g ^^ Canada, so that the whole command 
anlTwhy? of this expedition devolved on Montgomery. On 
When the third of November, he took possession of St. 

did they ^ ^ 

feision'' J^^bns, and then proceeded to Montreal, which ca- 
S?"' pitulated on the 13th, Governor Carleton having 



Cliap. XVII. SIEGE OF QUEBEC. 219 

previously abandoned the place and fled to due- ii'js 
bee. 

33. On the 1st of December, Montgomejy ar- ^^at 
rived, and uniting his forces with those of Arnold, Sit^on 
marched to duebec, then garrisoned by a superior my when 
force. The army was in a miserable condition. fJ^S? 
Worn out with fatigue, its numbers thinned by the 

ra rages of the small-pox and the severity of the 
winter, they were but poorly prepared to capture a 
place like Q^uebec. 

34. After a siege of three weeks in the midst of ^^^^ 
winter, it was determined to attempt the place by ^{Jack^ 
assault. On the last day in the year, in the S""^*^ 
midst of a heavy snow storm, the army in four 
divisions made the attempt. Two divisions were 

to make feigned attacks on the upper town, while 
Montgomery and Arnold with the other divisions, 
were to attack the lower town, at opposite points, 
intending to meet. 

35. Montgomery advanced on the banks of the^^^^^^^ 
river, lifting with his own hands at the huge blocks Mont°^ 
of ice, digging away the snow, and cheering on his ^"""^^^^ 
men as they, one by one, struggled through. With 

his sword waving over his head, he rushed forward 
to the pickets followed by his devoted soldiers. 
After one discharge from the battery, the gunners 
tied, the pickets were forced, but on entering, the 
discharge of a wall-piece from a neighboring house 
stretched Montgomery lifeless on the bloody snow. 
The officer next in command immediately ordered 
a retreat. Soon all had fled excepting one boyish who re- 
form, who stood by the mangled body of Mont- wfththe 

I'll -1 mi r • corpse 01 

ffomery, his dark eye wet with tears. Ihat lair ^^«"t- 



ffomery ? 



220 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Parti. 

ITT 5 boy, covered with the blood of fight, was he who m 

after years was almost president of the United 

States and emperor of Mexico — Aaron Burj\ 

whafis 36. In the mean time, Arnold had entered the 

aAiow? town at the head of his troops, bravely fighting, 

when his leg was shattered by a cannon ball, and 

much against his will he was carried to the rear. 

„ The command then devolved on Capt. Morgan, 

What of r & ? 

Morgan? -^vijo prcsscd on tlirough the storm of grape shot, 
and fought desperately for a number of hours, when 
he was compelled to surrender the remnant of his 
brave band prisoners of war. 
What of 37. The death of Montgomery was deeply la 
pomery's mcuted. He died in the flush of heroism, in the 
pride of early manhood, before the laurels which 
were green on his brow could fade in the poisonous 
breath of envy and jealousy, which the great and 
the good so often and so keenly feel. He left on 
the rock of Quebec bis blood, and to his coun- 
try the legacy of his fame. A monument was 
erected to his memory in St. Paul's church, New 
York. 

38. Arnold retired after his repulse three miles 

Whywas ^ 

Obliged below Quebec, where he remained during the 
a^e^can"-" wiutcr, kept the place in a state of blockade, 
^he and reduced it to distress for want of provisions. 

ispnng ? • 

Early in May, General Carleton having received 
reinforcements from England, the Americans were 
obliged to make a hasty retreat, and on the 18th of 
whatis June they entirely evacuated Canada. Thus ended 
coiidu- the expedition against Canada, having proved an 
theexpe- entire failure. We can now see, that it was well 
z^adii foi' our independence that it did so, as the protection 



CUap. XVII. EVENTS ON THE SEA-BOARD. 221 

of the province would have drawn away too many 17^5 
men from more important colonies. ~ 

39. While these events were transpiring on our ^^at 
northern frontiers, English ships were laying waste were^ 
towns and cities upon our Atlantic coast. Bristol, ring on 
in Rhode Island, and Falmouth in Massachusetts, jjj^^^^^ 
were burned by the orders of Capt. Mowatt of the fh^'"^ 
British navy, because they had taken part in the 
rebellion. Congress thought it time to turn their 
attention to the construction of armed vessels. 
Thirteen were accordingly fitted out, a navy estab- J^^|f/*' 
lished, and a large number of privateers licensed, fit°S^ 
which scoured the seas and did great injury to the 
English commerce. 

40. Gen. Washington employed in the service what 
several cruisers to intercept the store ships of the done bsr 

^ ^ » the crui- 

enemy. Regular courts of Admiralty were estab- ^^'"^^ 
lislied for the adjudication of prizes, and by these 
timely measures much good was accomplished. 

41. One of the most fortunate leaders in these what by 
enterprises was Captain Manly, of Marblehead. mS^'S 
He captured an English ship loaded with ordnance tion? 
stores and ammunition of immense value at that 
time. Among them was a large brass mortar on a 

new construction, which he called the Congress. 
An invoice, it is said, could scarcely have been 
formed of articles better suited to the pressing wants 
and circumstances of the army. Cargoes of pro- 
visions and various kinds of stores were seized to 

What 1=5 

a very considerable amount. l^Q^iil 

42. It is said that the distresses of the Bostonians thTBos**^ 
and the troops there, exceeded the possibility of dSg^ 
description. They were almost in a state of star- ^^^f 



222 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



PaFt 1* 



vi'7 5 vatiorij and suffering for want of fuel. The wretch^ 

ed inhabitants were totally destitute of vegetables, 

flom*j or fresh provisions, and were actually obliged 

to feed on horse flesh. A number of houses were 

taken down, and pews were removed from churches 

to supply them with fuel. 

JJ^rtf ^^' 43. Efforts were still made by the British minis 

ma?e by try, to dotach New York from the confederacy, and 

ish to to retain the colony under their influence. To 

detach ^ *' 

^^J^ this end, they restored Governor Tryon, who was 
uSwnf ^ greatly beloved by the people, and empowered him 
to make use of measures to bribe and corrupt in 
various ways. Congress immediately recommend- 
^ItS^^' ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ persons, whose going at large would 
meSd? endanger the liberty of America, should be ar- 
rested and secured." On hearing this intelligence. 
Gov. Tryon was obliged to take refuge on board a 
ship in the harbor. 

44. Virginia, during this year, was involved in 
said of difficulty through the insolent conduct of the royal 
arid vS-® governor. Lord Dunmore. The government of 
^'"^^" Virginia was now in the hands of the colonial 

assembly, but Lord Dunmore, who had retired to 
the king's ship, did not abandon all hopes of re- 
gaining his former station ; and in November, he 
issued proclamations, instituting martial law, and 
promised freedom to such slaves as would leave 
their nriasters, and join his party. Many loyalists 
and negroes joined his numbers, when Dunmore 
left his ships and occupied a strong position near 
Norfolk. The Virginians took post nearly oppo- 
site. 

45. Lord Dunmore being completely defeated, 



ciir;ed at 
Norlolk? 



hat 
was the 



Chap. XVII. LAST OVERTURES FOR PEACE. 223 

again repaired to his ships, where, with his party it 75 
of royaUsts, he became reduced to great distress, ^a~ 
for w^ant of provisions. He sent a flag to Norfolk ? 
demanding a supply for his Majesty's ships, which 
being refused by the provincial commander, he set 
fire to Norfolk and reduced it to ashes. 

46. By this inhuman act nearly 6,000 persons wii? 
were deprived of habitations, and three hundred fi^fi"!^,f 
thousand pounds sterling were lost. 

At length he was obliged to relinquish all at- ^r^ere 
tempts to regain his government, and finally, after mtreT 
suffering from famine, tempest, and disease, sought 
refuge in the Southern Islands. 

47. Royal government generally terminated 

this year, throughout the country, the king's gov- royii"^^ 
ernors abdicating their governments, and taking ST' 
refuge on board the English shipping. this yean 

48. An act was passed, prohibiting all trade and 
commerce with the colonies ; and authorizing the "ct wL 
capture of all American and other vessels found CypaJL- 
tradins^ with the colonies, and the crews of these this 

^ > ^ ^ time 

captured vessels were to be treated not as prisoners, 
but as slaves, 

49. The colonists had sent over their last peti- what 
tion, styled the Olive Branchy to the king ; but both ^ffgP^j}jj! 
houses of parliament refused to hear it, alleging "ale to 

.1..1 iix • •.• • secure a 

that they could not receive any proposition commg recon- 
from an unlawful assembly. Until nov/, they andhow 
hoped for reconciliation with the mother country. JSed? 
This was enough. The rejection of this last peti- 
tion determined the eternal separation of Great the^re ^ 

jectionof 



Britain and the colonies — the suppliants were sup ^^^%l;f 
pliants no longer. The flag, which had hitherto 



petition 
flo? 



224 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Parti- 

IT 15 been plain red, was changed to thirteen stripes, 
What emblematical of the union of the colonies. 



wa^s ^^ 50. At the close of this year (1775), the American 

made in J \ /i 



change 
was 

the flag? army was almost entirely destitute of the supplies 
^^.^^^ necessary for carrying on the war, and the terms 



was th^e f^y enlistment of all the troops expired with the 

the arniy 



b*ate 



at the year. Although active measures had been taken 

close of •; _ . * 111 /. -r^ 

^^75? for enlistmg troops, yet on the last day of December 
when the old troops were to be disbanded, there 
were but 9,650 men enlisted for the ensuing year. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1776. 

1776. 1. General Washington had continued the block- 
ade of Boston, during the winter of 1775-6, and at 
How , 1 1 ' 1 . , . \ 

Bosto^n^^ last resolved to brmg the enemy to action. It was 

bfodc- thought expedient to fortify Dorchester Heights, 
what^" which commanded the harbor and British ship- 
last re- pinff. The night of the 4th of March vv^as selected 

solved r ci o 

upon] f^y ^Y^Q attempt-— and a bright full moon favored 

What is them in their toilsome employment. The amount 

The forti- of labor performed through the night, considering 

borches- the depth of the frozen earth, was incredible. 

Heights? Qyq^i preparations were made to defend themselves 

from the raking fire which they expected from the 

enemy's ships. General Washington, was present 

animating the soldiers, and they in turn manifested 

warm hearts in the service. 



Cnap. XVIII. BLOCKADE OF BOSTON. 225 

2. The surprise of the British the next morix.iig 17 to 
cannot easily be conceived. A few moments suf- ^^.j^^ti^ 
ficed to tell Gen. Howe the advantage the Ameri- oen/"* 
cans had rained, and no alternative remained for -^i^d 

^ ^ ' what 

him but to dislodge them or retire, for his vessels ^[f ^If 
were too much exposed to remain in the harbor. ing^?he 
It was his wish to attack the Americans, but a cans j 
violent tempest of wind and rain came on the night 
after, and obliged him to abandon his enterprise. ^^^ ^.^ 
The Americans looked on this as the work of a ^i'j^eri- 
kind Providence, in frustrating a design which ga?d thia 
must have been attended with immense slaugh- 
ter. 

3. On the morning of the 17th of March, the when 
royal army commenced their embarkation, and the royaiar- 

. . my leave 

inhabitants beheld, with great joy, the whole fleet ^0=^^°"- 
under sail. 

By this event they were reliev"ed from a force Howma- 
of 7,575 regulars, exclusive of the staff, which, ^J„!^""^^' 
with the mariners and sailors, may be estimated 
at about 10,000 in the whole. 

4. This force greatly exceeded the five regiments ^^^^^^^ 

with which Gen. Grant vauntingly boasted inEng- grant's 

land that he could march successfully from one England? 

end of the American continent to the other. Fif- 

• 1 /» 1 • 1 I • How ma- 

teen hundred tones left trie country with then* f/f^^^jjf 

families on board the transports with the army, not '^"""^•'y' 

knowing what part of the world was to be their 

home. What » 

5. The houses and streets of Boston presented a the con- 

* dition of 

deplorable scene to the army as they entered. ^f^f/^'Jha 
Wretchedness and desolation were written on every tur^e^of 
side, and reflected disgrace on the late occupants, tro^ops? 

10* 



226 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Parti. 

1 7^ »7 6 A spacious brick building which, for more than a 
century, had been consecrated to the service of God, 
was occupied as a riding school for Burgoyne's regi 
ment of dragoons. A beautiful pew ornamented 
with carved work and silk furniture, was demolish- 
ed, and the carved work used, by order of an officer, 
as a fence for a hogstye. 
v^hauid 6. Gen. Washington requested the Rev. Dr. Eliot 
reqtSt ^^ preach a thanksgiving sermon, which he did on 
Dr.EUot? the 28th, from Isaiah xxxiii. 20, in the presence of 

his Excellency and a numerous audience. 
What The remains of that hero and patriot, Major 

was done ^ ' ** 

remain^s^ Geu. Warrcu, were taken from the earth at Breed's 
wSkui Hill, placed in an elegant coffin, and brought into 
the Stone Chapel. After the eulogy was pro- 
nounced, the remains were deposited in the vault 
long had uudcr the chapel. The port of Boston was now 

the port ^ . 

again opened, having been closed during two years, 
by order of an act of the British parliament. 
What 7. The British resolved on two expeditions for 
tions the campaign of 1776, besides the relief of Q^uebec 
Forthe"^ and the recovery of Canada. The object of one 
Snof expedition was to reduce the Southern Colonies— 
the command of which was given to Gen. Clinton 
arid Sir Peter Parker; the object of the other was 
whosuc- to gain possession of New York. The command 
Gage? of ^-his was givcu to the successors of Gen. Gage. 

Admiral and Sir William Howe. 
What is 8. During this time the most melancholy ac- 
thecon- counts were received from our army in Canada: 

dition of ^ ^ 1 

^y^^' they were subjected to great hardships, sufferings, 

Canada? ^^^ privatious. Destitute of provisions, sinking 

under fatigue, and reduced by the small-pox, which 



of Boston 
been 
closed ? 



Cl>ap. XVIII. DEATH OP GEN. THOMAS. 227 

was attended with unexampled mortality, they i^'te 
were in a state bordering on desperation. 

Reinforcements had been ordered by Congress, 
but when they arrived, they were worn out and 
sinking under disease. 

9. Gen. Thomas succeeded Arnold in the com- „,, 

What 

mand, and endeavored to reduce duebec. He sent ^y^etn"® 
a fire ship down the St. Lawrence, to destroy the ii!lfwith 
governor's vessels, intending, in the confusion which success? 
would ensue, to make a desperate assault on the 
town. The design was discovered by the garrison, 
and the attempt failed. On that very day, several 
British vessels came in sight, bringing reinforce- 
ments,, and thus cutting off any communication whywM 
between the different parts of the American camp. Thomas 

^ ^ obliged 

Gen. Thomas was obliged to retreat in the greatest J^^jo- 
precipitation, leaving behind him the baggage, ar- 
tillery, and whatever else might have impeded the 
march. 

10. Many of the sick fell into the hands of Gen. what 
Carleton, who treated them with great kindness, they^^ 
After a toilsome retreat of 45 miles without halting, with on 

^^ their re- 

they reached the river Sorel, where, in addition to ^'^^^• 
all their sufferings, they were called upon to part 
with their brave General Thomas. He was vio- 
lently seized with small-pox, which in a few days who 
proved fatal, when the command devolved upon «e1i. 

r. Q ir Thomas? 

Gen. Ibuuivan. 

11. The British forces in Canada under Gen. iTi'A- 

was tne 

Frazer, now numbered 13,000. The general place SHhe' 
of rendezvous was Three Rivers, but a party un- force L 

^ 1 Canada? 

der Gen. Nesbit was near them on board the trans- where 
ports : while one exceeding the other in number they%ta 

* ** fioned"! 



SIIC> 

ceeded 



228 REVOLUTIO.^ARY WAR. Fart L 

J TTG with Generals BurgoynCj Cailetou, Philips, and 

Baron Reidesel, was on its way from Quebec. 
Forwhat l^. Gen. Sullivan dispatched Gen. Thompson 
waTcl^n. with a considerable body of troops to attack Geu. 
am (lis- Frazer at Three Rivers. Intendinsr to surprise him, 

patched, , ® ^ ' 

wai'the"^^ they sailed down the river by night, but were di^^ 
the^ixpe- covered and defeated with the loss of 200 prisoners. 
Adverse fortune followed the American arms in 
What is every part of Canada, althouo^h the contest dis- 

said ot -^ ^ ^ ' ^ 

ces/of ' played the mihtary character of the colonial officers 

the 



Ameri- iu thc most houorablc point of view. Gen. Sulli- 
causein vau soou rcccivcd orders to embark on the Lakes 

Canada ] 

for Crown Point, and thus ended the bold but un- 
successful attempt to annex Canada to the United 
Colonies. 
What 13. An official letter had been intercepted early 

news . , . '11 /• 1 

K ht ^^ ^ yea**? announcmg the departure of a large 
anT^*" armament from England, under Sir Peter Parkei 
iST^ and Gen. Clinton, its destination being against the 
Southern States. Forthwith the gallant Southern- 
prepara- ers bcgau to prepare for its reception. The only 
S resistance which the inhabitants of Charleston 
hy^tht could make, was to defend Sullivan's island, and 
Charles- the militia of the country were summoned to sur- 
round the capital. 

14. Palmetto trees which resemble the cork, had 
thTfortt been cut in the forest, and the logs in immense 
fication. j.g^f|.g^ were moored to the beach. With these huge 

palmettoes, a square pen was made with bastions 
at the angles, capable of covering a thousand men. 
When completed, it presented the appearance of a 
solid wall 16 feet wide. 

15. Altliough ignorant of gunnery, these valiant 



Cliap. XVIII. FORT MOULTRIE. 229 

meiij nerved with courage, were confident of sue- ittg 
cess, and toiled on in their preparations. The com- ^o 
mand of this fort was ffiven to Col. Moultrie. was"uie 

. com- 

Behind it he placed 435 brave soldiers, with ^^'^^ 
31 cannon, the total calibre of which was about 
513 pounds. Much had been said to Col. Moul- 
trie in derision of this rudely built affair. A former 
captain of an English man-of-war, warned them S^beeu 
m the most emphatic manner, saymg to (^ol. Moul- ^p^^'^^^ 
trie, " Sir, when the enemy's ships come to lay J^f^'? 
alongside of your fort, they will knock it down in 
half an hour." Moultrie very coolly replied, " Then rTpV?'" 
we will lie behind the ritinSy and prevent the men 
from landing J^ 

16. Gen. Lee, whose eye had been accustomed whatdid 

. . "^ Gen. Lee 

to the scientific structures of Europe, requested the Jf^^"^^'^ 
governor to have it immediately evacuated; but i^Sge? 
looking proudly on the brave men who had sworn 
to protect it. Governor Rutledge replied, " That he 

, , . , . . , , What did 

would never ffive his sanction to such an order the. gov- 

*-* ^ ^ ernoi re- 

while a soldier remained alive to defend it." The p^- 
sequel will tell how bravely they kept their deter- 
mination. 

17. On the morning of the 28th of June, a de- j^'^at 
tachment from the fleet, consisting of two ships of ^^f"^ "" 
50 ffuns each, 5 of 28, 1 of 26, and a bomb vessel, TTiI" 

1-1 1 • 1 ^r• • -1 * 1 28th o/ 

came steadily up, driven by a lair wind. As they June 
neared the fort. Col. Moultrie's eyes flashed with 
delight, and he gave orders to his men to fire. 
That bold onset was an earnest of what followed. „ .^ 

nescribe 

Not a shot was returned from the fleet, until they menS"^ 
cast anchors directly abreast of the fort, when athe"'al- 
fearful volley from more than one hundred cannon 



230 



REVOLUTIONAR\ WAR. 



Part !. 



What is 
said of 
Lee's 
move- 
ments 1 



1^7-6 greeted them, and the battle had fairly com 
mcnced. 

18. Gen. Lee had stationed himself at Ha ddreli's 
Point, expecting to see the fort shattered in frag- 
ments in thirty minutes. Hour after hour passed, 
during which time the firing seemed like one con- 
stant peal of thunder; the fort trembled at times 
like a frightened thing, as hundreds of balls buried 
themselves in the good pahnettoes. Lee passed 
over to the fort in an open boat, amazed that an 
English fleet of 266 guns should be kept at bay by 
31 cannon and 400 inexperienced artillerists. 

19. His astonishment was increased as he gazed 
upon the coolness and intrepidity of those noble 
men. Finding his presence of no avail, he left the 
fort, and returned to his old station. An incessant 
shower of bombs flew through the air, and quanti- 
ties dropping within the fort, were lost in the morass 
in the middle. With joy they saw the bomb ves- 



Describe 
the bat- 
tle. 




Charleston is situ- 
ated on a point of land 
formed by the junction 
of the Ashley and Coo- 
per rivers, about seven 
miles from the ocean. 
The entrance to the ci- 
ty is through a narrow 
channel, on the east of 
which, and about six 
miles below the town, 
is Sullivan's Island. On 
this island Fort Moul- 
trie was erected, in a 
position which com- 
pletely commanded 
the entrance, and pre- 
sented a formidable 
obstacle in the way of 
an attack on the city. 
Fort Johnson was 
erected on James' 
Island, which is about 
three miles below 
Charleston. 
Gen- Clinton landed with his troops on Long Island, a short distance east of Sullivan's 

Island, and erected two batteries, chiefly for the purpose of covering h-s forces when they 

should land on Sullivan's Island to attack the fort. 



Cliap. XVIII, ATTACK ON FORT MOULTRIE. 231 

sel rendered useless, while every succeeding dis- i^^e 
charge told with murderous effect. 

20. During the heat of the battle, the flag-staff ^-^atis 
was shot away, and the flag dropped on the theVff- 
beach. One deep groan of despair was heard ^"^ 
from hundreds of the citizens of Charleston, who ofthe 

' a^itiition 

had crowded the wharves and steeples, and were %^^^^^j 
watching with intense anxiety for the .event of the 
battle. Every face grew pale, as the flag disap 
peared, and many an eye filled with tears. ' 

21. But the firing continued, and blaze, and smoke, 
and thunder answered from the sea. But a few mo- 
ments elapsed, and they saw the flag shaking its 
folds in the sea-breeze in its former place. Amonff 

the bravest of those brave ones within the fort, was if"^ of 
Sergeant Jasper. Quickly he sprang from one of •^^'p^'" 
the embrasures, snatched the dripping flag from the 
ditch, and walking the whole length of the works, 
though the balls were falling fearfully around him. 
coolly mounted the logs and supported the flag 
upon the parapet, until another staff was procured. 
A shout of joy rung from the wharves and heights 
of Charleston at the sight. 

22. All day long beneath a burning sky, they 
fought without cessation, and when the level beams [l^^^^Jj- 
of the setting sun lighted up the sea, the battle ue^^ ^^^' 
still raged furiously. Slowly, says one in graphic 
style, the gray twilight began to creep over the wa- 
ter, and at last darkness settled on the shores and 

the sea. The scene now became one of indescri- 
bable grandeur. That heavy cannonade still con- whatia 
tinned, and still the spectators who lined the main- Se scene 

, - , 1 ! 1 I 1 1 attersun 

land, gazed seaward through the gloom, toward set? 



232 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Part I 



ITTG ^he spot where the combat still raged. Night hod 

fallen on the island and fort, and all was dark and 

invisible there, except when the flash of the guns 

lit up its form, and then its mysterious bosom for a 

moment would be inherent with flame, and it 

seemed as if the sea itself had opened and shot 

forth fire. Arovmd those ships, the smoke lay like 

a dark and heavy storm cloud, through which the 

lightnings incessantly played, and thunders rolled. 

Moultrie and his men could distinctly hear the 

heavy blows of their shot, as they struck the ships, 

and crashed through the solid timbers. 

S^^(fthe ^^* Finally, the Enghsh, despairing of conquer- 

iT'th^e"" ^^S ^^^^^^ men, moved quietly aw^ay, and it is said 

reS- Marion (who was afterward so famous for his 

uhatef- bravery) fired the last gun as the ships were retir- 

fect? jj^g^ ^gg^ parting salute, and so w^ell aimed w^as the 

piece, that it struck the cabin of the commander's 

ship, killing two officers and three sailors. All 

What through the streets of Charleston one loud huzza 

sionsof rent the air — " Victory! Victon/ T while from 

joy were '^ 

given? the little fort went up three hearty cheers, and 

thenceforw^ard it w^as named in honor of its gallant 

defender. Fort Moultrie. 

^^^^ 24. They mourned over the dead bodies of ten 

Eon^ of their band — but they grieved as for brave men, 

Bides? who died in the service of their country fighting 

for liberty. Twenty-two were wounded, while 

the loss of the British was about one hundred and 

seventy-one killed, and two hundred and sixty 

wounded. A number of officers were slain and 

their ships shattered almost to a perfect ruin. 

25. A few days after this brilliant action, the 



Chap. XVIII. ' DEA TH OF JASPER. 233 

bold soldiers at the fort were visited by Gov. Rut- ixte 
ledge and many of the fair women of Charleston. 
The gallant Jasper was brought forward, and as a ^^at 
reward for his chivalric act in replacing the fla^ w^re^af- 

* ^ ° terward 

on the parapet, Gov. Rutledge buckled his own g|.;enthe 
sword around the stalwart form, while a pair of ^"^^*^'^^' 
elegantly embroidered colors were presented to Col. what 
Moultrie's regiment, by Mrs. Eliott, saying at the hy.Mrs. 
^loseofa few words begging them to accept the colors f;||a%r 
vfcc, " I make not the least doubt, under Heaven's ?« c^^ 
protection, you Avill stand by them as long as they trie's 
can wave in the air of Liberty.'^ Jasper heard this "^e"*' 
speech and remembered it well. 

26. Some time after, during the assault on Sa- ^j^^t ^^^ 
vannah, Jasper received a mortal wound while futuT"* 
in the act of replacing these colors on the para- 
pet of the Springhill redoubt. Feeling the damp 

dew of death gathering on his brow, he sum- 
moned his companions in war about him to hear 
his last words. Said he, " I have got my furlough. 
That sword was presented to me by Gov. Rutledge, ^^^^^ 
for my services in the defense of Fort Moultrie, ^^e of 
Give it to my father, and tell him I have worn it requests 
with honor. If he should weep, tell him his son 
died in the hope of a better life. Tell Mrs. Eliott, 
that I have lost my life, supporting the colors which 
she presented to our regiment." 

27. He then sent a message to a Mrs. Jones, what 
whose husband he had rescued with much bravery ^^^P^ 

•^ send to 



from the enemy, saying, " If you should ever see 
Jones, his wife and son, tell them that Jasper is 
gone, but that the remembrance of the battle which 
he fought for them, brought a secret joy to his heart, 



Mrs. 
Jones ? 



234 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Part I, 



1T16 when it was about to stop its motion forever." lie 
expired in a few minutes Xfter closing this last 
sentence. 

Where 28. The remainder of the fleet set sail for the 

British^ north, where the whole of the British fleet had been 

sembie^ Ordered to assemble. 

During these transactions at the South, the Con- 
tinental Congress was in session, watching with 
anxiety the aspect of affairs in both countries, and 
revolving the chances for success in the approach 
ing contest. 




ENCAMPMENT AT VALLEY FORGE. 

FART !!•, 

F.XTENDING 13 YEARS TO THE FORMATION OF 

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 1789. 

CHAPTER I. 

N the first week in June, Richard 
Henry Lee, one of the deputies 
from Virginia, made a motion in 
Congress, To declare the Ameri- 
can colonies free and independent 
States, and supported it by an 
eloquent speech, which found an 
echo in many hearts. It was still 
farther discussed on the Uth of June, when it was 



ITT6 




Whai 
motion 
was 

made in 
Congress 
by Rich- 
ard Hen- 
ry Lee ? 



236 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Part Il» 

1TT6 postponed for subsequent consideration until the first 
^^j^^ day of July, and at the same time it was ^oted 
TaT^ that a committee be appointed to propose a all 

taken? ^ - 

declaration. 
Who 2. The committee was elected by ballot, and 

were the -^ ' 

Sf^Thl*^ consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Ben- 
te?^?o^' jamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. 

prepare a t • • 

full Dec- Livmsfston. 

laration ? ^ 

Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Adams acted as a sub- 
To 

whom 



committee to prepare the draft, and Mr. Jefferson 
,iwRof drew up the paper. The merit of this document 

writing • -w/r t rv in i i • • 

thed^c- IS Mr. Jefferson s. Some changes were made m it, 

laration ^ ' 

belong? ^j^ ^Yie suggestion of other members of the com- 
mittee, and by others in Congress while it was un- 
when der discussion. 

colonics 3. On the ^th of July^ 1776, upon the report of 
lel^n^ce ^^^ committcc, the 13 confederate colonies dissolved 
Brit/lh their allegiance to the British crown, and boldly 
Whit d^cl^i'^ci themselves Free and Independent under 
th^^'*''^ the name of the Thirteen United States of America. 
^^^^ In their declaration they boldly expressed the 
eipres? grievances and oppression for which they could 
Icilra- not obtain redress, and proclaimed to the world the 
causes which impelled them to a separation from 
the Crown of Great Britain. 
'*^^ 4. The author of a pamphlet entitled " Common 
^^?^ Sense^'' thus argues the necessity of the measure : 
-"' " We had no credit abroad, because of our rebellions 
dependency. Our ships could obtain no protec- 
'? tion in foreign ports, because we afforded them no 
li^depeiv iustifiable reason for ffrantins" it to us. The call- 
mg of ourselves subjects, and at the same time 



•Dn? 



me ne 
cessify of 



Cliap.I. INDEPENDENCE DECLARED. 237 

fig"!! ting against the prince we acknowledge, was a i^-^^^ 
dangerous precedent to all Europe. 

5. "If the grievances justified our taking up arms, 
they justified our separation ; if they did not justify 
our separation, neither could they justify our taking 
arms. All Europe was interested in reducing us 
as rebels, and all Europe, or the greater part at 
least, is interested in supporting us in our inde- 
pendent state. 

6. " At home our condition was still worse; our 
currency had no foundation ; and the state of it 
would have mined whig and tory alike. We had 
no other laws than a kind of moderated passion ; no 
other civil power than an honest mob ; and no oth- 
er protection than the temporary attachment of one 
man to another. 

7. "Had independency been delayed a few months 
longer, this continent would have been plunged 
into irretrievable confusion ; some violent for it, 
some against it, all in the greatest cabal, the rich 
would have been ruined, and the poor destroyed. 

"The necessity of being independent would have 
brought it on in a little time, had there been no 
rupture between Britain and America. 

8. " The increasing importance of commerce, the 
weight and perplexity of legislation, and the en- 
larged state of European politics, would clearly 
have shown to the continent the impropriety of 
remaining subordinate ; for after the coolest re- 
flection on the matter, this must be allowed, " that 
Britain was too jealous of America to govern it 
justlj ; too ignorant of it to govern it well ; and 
too distant to govern it at all." 



238 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. p^rt II, 

IT 76 9- This pamphlet was universally read, and 
^jjjjt most highly admired. The language was plain 
\va^s%ro- and forcible, and produced a powerful effect on the 
thepam- public mind. The principles of hereditary govern- 
ment were ridiculed, while the excellences of 



What 

was 

recom 



republican institutions were faithfully portrayed. 
10. According to recommendation of Congress, 
mendl'd thosc colouics that had not yet adopted constitu- 
ihe^rof- ^'^^^j were advised to establish " such governments 
^'^^- as might best conduce to the happiness and safety 
of the people." The colonies had become accus- 
tomed to look upon themselves as sovereign States, 
and the recommendation was generally complied 
with, and the government was in every instance 
entirely elective, and at such short periods as to 
impress upon the rulers their immediate accounta- 
bleness to the people. 
What 11. The subject of independence had for some 

was 

thought time agitated the public mind, and various opinions 
of^indt were entertained relative to that momentous trans- 
dlnce bv action. Some objections were raised, as it was 
^c? considered doubtful whether the grand object, lib- 
erty^ could be gained. And when we reflect on tlie 
deranged condition of the army, the fearful defi- 
why do ciency of resources, and the little prospect of foreign 
wimier assistance, and at the same time contemplate the 
boid^^^ prodigious powers and resources of the enemy, we 
casure. j _^^j^ ^ .^j^ woudcr upou this bold measure of Con- 
gress. 
What is 12- I^ '^^^ he^n said, that the history of the world 
the'^fo.ii- cannot furnish an instance of fortitude and heroic 
•tle^-ign- magnanimity parallel to that displayed by the 
members, whose sisrnatures are aflSxed to the Dec- 



Chap. I. DECLARATION RECEIVED AVITH JOY. 239 

laration of American Independence. Their vener- i-yre 
ated names will ornament the brightest pages of 
American history, and be transmitted to the latest 
generations. 

13. A signature to this paper would be regarded ^^^^^^ 
in England as treason, and expose them to the bten the 
halter or the block. These brave men knew well quences 

to them 

what an ignominious death awaited them, in case ^^^JJ^^/> 
their experiment failed. But they had counted the Sfied^''*^ 
cost, and realized the responsibility of their station. 
As a nation the American people, in their helpless- 
ness, bowed before the omnipotent. Ruler of the whom 

' ^ i ^ did they 

world, and besought his protection and guidance. a'JdVrJd 
They felt that their cause was just, they were op- SlSlf" 
pressed in their dearest rights and privileges, and 
they hesitated not to appeal to Heaven for aid. 

14. The President of Conffiess, /o/m iJancocA:, what » 

^ ^ ^ sai(i of 

led the way in this bold w^ork, and the original ^^^^^}.g 
paper still exhibits the characters written by no sf-ne^Js? 
coward's hand. Of all the 56 signers, but one 
hand trembled as they signed what might have 
proved their ow^n death warrant. The name of 
Stephen Hopkins is traced in trembling lines owing 
to a sever3 attack of palsy, with which he had 
been afflicted. 

15. The pen with which these signatures were 
made, is now in the cabinet of the Massachusetts 
Historical Society. But the signers have all gone, what is 
Their bodies are at rest in the tomb, but they live ^eath 
in their example, in the recorded proofs of their exfmrfe! 
own noble actions, principles, and opinions, which 

for succeeding generations will act upon the affairs 
of men throuo^hout the civilized world. 



240 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. p^^t n. 



1770 



What is 



16. Charles Carroll of Carrolton was the last of 
this venerable body who survived. He lived to sec 
the'^iaft one after another leave the stage of life, and go 
band? down to the grave with whitened hairs. The lon- 
gevity of the signers has been frequently noticed. 
What is 17, The average lives of the New England 

said of c5 o 

gev/ty"of delegation (14 in number) was 75 years. Four of 
ers^ofth'e the others lived to the ao:e of 90 and upward ; 14 

Declara- 

tion? exceeded 80 years, and most of the others reached 
the age of threescore years and ten. They had 
What lived to see the goodness of the Lord in granting 
Efycmdd them freedom from oppression, and in their ad- 
to their vauccd age could bear testimony to their posterity, 

that God was the hearer and answerer of prayer. 
doefAn- 18. Anthon says in his Lives of the Signers to 
i?*hir^ the Declaration, '' It remains to us to cherish their 
the Sign- memory, and emulate their virtues, by perpetuating ^ 
tionY^' ^^d extending the blessings which they have be- 
queathed. So long as we preserve our country 
this fame cannot die, for it is reflected from the sur 
face of every thing that is beautiful and valuable in 
our land. We cannot recur too often nor dwell too 
long on the lives and characters of such men; for 
our owm will take something of their form and 
impression from those on which they rest. If we - 
inhale the moral atmosphere in which they moved, 
we must feel its purifying and invigorating in- 
fluence." 
Howwas 19. Voices of joy throughout the Union welcom- 
iaration'^" ed the declaration. 'From old and youn^, master 

received i i i i i ^ 

^y^oid and servant, the glad tones were echoed, America 
u?S!fph- is, and of a right ought to be, a free andindepeU" 

out the 7 , . . 

Union? dent nation. 



Cbap. I. DECLARATION RECEIVED WITH JOY. 



241 



20. In Virginiaj the rejoicings were almost be- tTte 
yond description. The name of King George was ^^^^ 
suppressed in all public prayers, and the great seal ilJ^viJ- 
of the commonwealth represented Virtue as the 
tutelary genius of the province, trampling on ty- gf^^^'j^^^j 
ranny, under the figure of a prostrate man whose l^f^la 
crown had fallen from his head, and bearing in one weaW 
hand a scourge and the other a chain. The words 

Sic semper tyrannis were inscribed around the 
effigy of Virtue. The reverse represented Liberty 
with her wand and cap ; Ceres, with a horn of 
plenty in one hand and a sheaf of wheat in the 
other, and at the foot these words : Deus 7iobis hcec 
otia fecit. 

What 

21. In New York, the leaden statue of George was^done 

? ^ o with the 

III. was taken down and converted into bullets. GlSge"' 

In Boston, thirteen salutes, corresponding to the New" 
number of American States, were fired, and Kinsc 

' ' ^ What 

Street received the name of State street. The bells ^^%l^}^ 
rang out a joyous peal, while members of the coun- ^"' 
cil and House of Representatives, magistrates, 
clergymen, selectmen, assembled to hear the news 
proclaimed, and in the loud huzzas from the con- 
course of people, every voice joined. After ensigns 
of royalty, lions, crowns and sceptres were destroyed, whatdid 
the people felt that they were forever absolved from pie fed » 
all allegiance to a tyrant's throne. 

22. The British ministry were confounded at ^^^^^ ^^ 
what they called the daring enormity of the colo- the'^sur- 
nists, in spurning their mighty power and authority, the Bdt- 
They were surprised, that rebels dared to show j^SiXd 
such tPiT^per and spirit. Forthwith they determined fefmillr 
bv augmented forces to crush them at a blow, and 

11 



242 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Part II. 



17T6 ^o coerce them into a sense of duty and Sv^bmission 

to their king. 
whSfor- 23. Doubting the competency of their own power 
pnnces to subjugate the colonies, the EngHsh parhament, 

tlifi the . 1 1 • 1 /• /• • 

*?iHia^ at an immense expense, resorted to the aid oi loreign 
tufa ' ^^' troops to prosecute their bloody work. They en- 
tiuops? iQ^.Q^ jjj^Q ^ treaty with several German princes to 
furnish 17,000 men, to aid in reducing the Ameri- 
What cans to vassalage. Besides the wages parliament 

was said .ii ^. , ., . 

to be the paid these foreigners, the terms in the treaties stipu- 

expense r o 7 r 

iand"of lated that thirty pounds sterling should be paid for 
troops? each soldier slain, and fifteen for each one disabled. 
It was asserted in the House of Lords, that the ex- 
pense to England for these foreign troops was not 
2^^e l^ss than 1,500,000 pounds for one year. 
w^ththe 24. With a horde of Hessians, Brunswickers, 
InTwith Waldeckers, English. Scotch and Irish came two 
powlrs commissioners. Lord Howe and General Howe, 
thly^in- with powers to restore peace to the colonies, and 

vested ? 

Where grant pardon to such of his majesty's subjects as 
when did giiQuld deserve clemency. These royal commis- 
bTwhom sioners landed at Staten Island on the 12th of July, 

were 

they and about the same time Gen. Clinton arrived with 

lomed? 

did^Gen. the shattered fleet from Charleston. The troops 
Srive under Gen. Howe, which had evacuated Boston, 
Boston? reached Staten Island on the 2d of July, ^o that 

What -^ ' 

tle"num- ^he Bi'itish army here amounted to 24,000. When 
Eng?fsh^ the Hessian troops joined, the army would consist 
th^arri- of 35,000 of the best drilled soldiers in Europe. 

valofthe ^ . 

^Ins? 25. In June, Gen. Howe had announced his 
^oda- proclamation of pardon to all well-disposed rebels, 

mation i • i i • i 

Howe^" and promised a large remuneration to any who 
funei^^ should aid in re-establishing the royal authority. 



Chap. I. INSOLENCE REBUKED. 243 

Congress boldly and wisely caused this proclama- i-fte 
tion to be printed with accompanying remarks, ^^ 
showing the people its insidious nature, and ad- S^afthll 
vising them to be true to their own cause. matiom 

26. The commissioners then dispatched Col. whowas 

^ dispatch- 

Patterson, adjutant- general of the British army to feuS^^to 

Gen. Washington at New York with letters re- Son? 

specting their mission, but as the letters were not y^J^f^li 

directed in a manner expressive of his official cei/e' 

capacity, his Excellency refused to receive them. 

27. In a few days after, Col. Patterson again ^^^^^'J^ 
waited on Gen. Washington, with a letter directed dreJged^" 
to George Washington^ Esq.^ <^c., ^'c, ^c, which ington'^ 
they hoped would remove all difficulty, as the three 

et ceteras might be understood to imply every 
thing that ought to follow. Gen. Washington ab- 
solutely declined receiving this letter, adding that ^e refuse 
as the three et ceteras might mean every thing, thllaiso? 
they might also mean any thing, and he must 
have all public letters directed to him according to 
his rank. 

28. Col. Patterson then said that the letters con- ^vhatdid 

Patter- 

tained offisrs of pardon, (fcc, to which Gen. Wash- sa?,ind" 
ington coolly replied, that the Americans had "^^^.i the 
wmmitted no wrong, and therefore wanted no par- -JJg^^^', 
dons ; they were only defending what they deemed 
their indisputable rights. Col. Patterson mani- 
fested great solicitude that the letters might be 
received, and a reconciliation take place. Gen. of what 

^ A was 

Washington with firmness and dignity refused. JJJ'^on" 

29. Gen. Washington Avas well assured that and"wh4f 
warlike operations would speedily follow, and forth- ^«g^|jj^. 
with preparations were made to fortify New York, jjmade? 



244 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Part II, 

\>^>^Q and increase the army. The possession of New 
why7id York was a favorite object of the British, on 
ISh w"ifh account of its central situation, and the ease with 
pos^ses^'" which possession could be maintained. In April, 

sion of , , . ' 

Yorl? Gren. Washington had fixed his head-quarters in 
Where that citv, and endeavored by every means in his 

was '^ ' J J 

iL?o^*'3 power to prepare for its defense. 

SSarters? 30. Tlic greatest part of his army was stationed 

Where in Ncw York, while a division was ordered to Can- 
was the ' 

prhlci- ^^^j ^^^ another left in Massachusetts. Two de- 
tioned?" tachments guarded Governor's Island and Paulus 
Where Hook, whilc Gcu. Cliuton Avith some mihtia, 
Clinton observed New Rochelle, East and West Chester, in 

station- ' ^ ^ ' 

for whit order to prevent the British from landing on the 
r.T' North. Gen. Greene had been ordered in the 

What 

G?eene"' Spring to occupy Long Island, and had thoroughly 

tolfo?'^ examined the ground, established his posts, and 

made great preparations for meeting the enemy. 

Who sue- At this most critical moment he was seized with a 

reeded 

Sdc- bilious fever, which prostrated him for many days. 
why was Putnam was ordered to succeed him, and from 
pareTfor lils iguorauce of the ground, was unprepared, in 
^^ ^ ^ every way, for an efficient defense. His army 
h^s'Trmy occuplcd Brooklyu, the left wing resting on Walla- 
wherl" ^^^^ ^^1 j bis right was bordered by a marsh near 
Sum- Gowannus Cove. Gen. Sulh van guarded the coast 
forces? and the road from Bedford to Jamaica. 
What 31. The continental army numbered only 10,.514 

was the . -^ . 

number effcctive soldicrs, and these were so circumstanced 

of the ' 

rrmy? ^^j^^^^ }^^^ ^ Small part could be brought into action. 
Howma- Thirteen thousand troops were ordered to join the 
o?drre? army, which with the invaHds and men destitute 

lo join it? '' ' 

of arms, would increase the number to 27,000. 



Chap. I. BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND. 245 

32. On the 22d of August, the British forces ^7 70 
under Generals Clinton, Cornwallis, Percy, and ^~ 
Grant, landed on the southern shore of Long Island, ^^ere 
causing the inhabitants to flee in terror before eWhsii 

forces 

them. Many of them fired their own houses and ^JJ^^j^^JIJ 
stacks of grain, to prevent their becoming British fJSitanis 
property. The two armies were about four miles their°V 
distant, separated by a range of hills running from ^y^^^ 
east to west. {£ip' 

33. Over these hills called the heights of Gowan- ^'^''^' 

I 1 1 1 TVT 11 Describe 

nus were three roads : one by the JN arrows, throuorh ^hedif- 
which Gen. Grant passed ; another by Flatbush, '^^hlch 
through which the Hessians under Gen. Heister Ly tooiV 
marched ; and the third road by way of Flatlands, 
which was taken by the column under Gen. Clin- 
ton. It was important that these passes should 
have been thoroughly guarded, but Gen. Clinton 
on the morning of the 27th gained possession of q^^^^^ 
one of the defiles without any resistance. The makl^'to 
British were seen advancing on the other roads, and th^^^at- 

^ ' tention 

the American troops were drawn up from their fj^^l 
camps to oppose them. fromhia 

34. These movements of the enemy proved to be SSe? 
only feints to divert the attention of Gen. Putnam 
from the main body, who were cautiously and 
silently advancing under Gen. Clinton by the road ^j^^^ 
on the left. Early on the morning of the 28th, an ^^J^ 
attack was made by the Hessians and a detach- JtSck*® 
ment under Gen. Grant. The Americans were 
fighting bravely when first informed of the approach 

of Gen. Chnton, who had passed round to tli,e left. 

35. In this desperate situation, the affrighted 
Americans had no safety but in retreat. They 



246 



REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Part II: 



iTTc; endeavored to regain their camp, but were inter- 
What cepted by the light infantry and dragoons of Gen. 
sifuadon Chnton, who drove them back on the Hessians. 

when 

Clinton 

ap- 

^oach- succession of attacks and many were taken prison- 



An awful scene of butchery took place during a 



ers. 



For six hours several regiments of the Amer 
Sfe^ac^® icans under Lord Stirling, continued fighting in 
this desperate manner, but being ignorant of the 
movements made by Gen. Clinton, their retreat 



the ac 

tiun. 



VICINITY OF NEW YORK, 




The British army occupied the plain extending from the Narrows to 
conmman.led the left win^'- near the coast, De Heister, with the Hessian 
Sir Henry Clinton the right 



The city of New 
York Stan 's on the 
south-east end of 
an island anciently 
named Manhattan, 
but now called by the 
name of the city. The 
Hudson or North riv- 
er bounds it on the 
west. It is about fif- 
teen miles long, and 
only two broad. The 
American army was 
posted partly at New 
York and partly on 
Lonff Island. On the 
2d of Jnly the Brit- 
ish landed without 
opposition on Staten 
Island, which lies on 
the coast of New Jer- 
sey, and is separated 
from Long Island by a 
channel called the 
NaiTOiDS. 

The American divi- 
sion on the island, 
about 11,000 strong. 
pccupied a fortified 
camp at Brooklyn, op- 
posite New York, un- 
der the command of 
Putnam, Sullivan, and 
Brigadi'r-general Lord 
Sterling. 

On the 22(1 of Au- 
gust Gen. Howe de- 
termined to com- 
mence active ofie na- 
tions, and cto.s.«ed the 
Narrows without op- 
position, and landed 
on Long Island be- 
tween Utrecht and 
Gravesend. A range 
of woody hills run- 
ning from the Nar- 
rows to Jamaica sep- 
arated the two armies. 
Flatbush. Gen. Grant 
troops, the centre, anrl 



Cliap. I. BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND. 247 

was intercepted. Many, howeverj broke through 1770 
and escaped to the lines. 

36. The Americans defended themselves with i^^,^.^^ 
great bravery, but were unequal to the contest, enlms? 
The British possessed the most decided advantage the mf 
in numbers, artillery, discipline, and experience. 
That Washington should be able to keep the field -f {J^en^* 
at all, with these ever shifting, undisciplined, unfur- d^me<i 
nished troops, has been proclaimed a wonder ; much fhT"'"^^ 
stranger it is, that he should ever have risked them ^•^^^';«'jj 
in open fight. Not that they lacked bravery ort'oSnj 
patriotism, or that they could not form squares to wfthtL 
repel cavalry, or display then' ranks to make a "^^^J^'^ 
charge ; but they could not even change front in ""^"^^ 
battle^ or execute the most simple manoeuvre to 
prevent being outflanked, without being thrown into 
greater or less disorder. 

37. In this instance, British discipline triumphed mIS did 

- - ' • . , / . ^ Enjriish 

over the mere desperation and bravery of rawdiscip-. 

^ '' line tri 

troops, whose officers even were not acquainted with ""'p''- 
the science of war. The American loss, according wa^s^Ve 
to Gen. Washino^ton's computation, was 1,000. caTami 

° I J 5 what the 

Among the prisoners were Generals Sullivan and ^^^'%^ 
Stirling, and 82 other officers of various ranks. ^^^'"'^ 
The British loss was estimated at 4.50. 

38. This battle was considered the most unskil- 
ful and imprudent one fought during the war. 
Had the British shown sufficient energy, all tlie 
Americans except the cavalry might have been 
secured or slain. The battle was fought against 
the advice and wish of Washington, and but for 
his consummate skill and energy, the whole army 
would have been lost. 



were 
among 
the f>ris- 
oners ? 

AVhat is 

Sfiid of 
this nut- 
tie, nnel 
airj'.inst 
whose 
advK-e 
w;is it 
fought ? 



248 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Pnrt 11 



iTte *^9' During the engagementj Gen. Washington 
What is crossed over from New York to Brooklyn, and his 
wash*-^ stout heart was moved to anguish, on seeing so 
iiesaw many of his best men slauo^htered. Had he, in this 

so many "^ ^ ' 

?4n '^ moment of affliction, acted from impulse or for vain- 

Sed?' glory, he might have drawn all his troops from the 

encampment and from New York, but on mature 

deliberation, he decided to preserve his army for 

the future. 

Where 40. Gcu. Grccue tossing on his sick bed, heard 

Greene tho thuudcr of the first cannon as it shook the 

during 

tilfn, and housc lu whlch he lay helpless, and half rising 
JaM^of from his feverish couch, he clasped his hands, ex- 
claiming on the affliction of " being confined at 
such a timeP His brave heart was wrung with 
such sorrow as only heroes know, and as the up- 
roar of the combat increased, his agitation became 
intense. Explosion after explosion shook his bed, 
and constant inquiries were made as to the fate of 
the battle. At last, when told that his favorite 
regiment had been terribly handled, and cut to 
pieces, he could contain himself no longer, but burst 
into an agony of tears. 
What IS ^1- After this distressing defeat, our army re- 
th'e'^army treated within their lines at Brooklyn, and were 
defeat? exposcd to the greatest hazard; the troops fatigued 
and discouraged by defeat, a superior enemy in 
What ^J^^ii' fi'ont, and a powerful fleet about to enter the 
se?ved it ^ast river with a view of effectually cutting off 
desSuc- their retreat ; the care of Providence, and the wis- 
dom and vigilance of Washington, preserved them 
from destruction. 

42. Having resolved to withdraw his troops from 



ciiap. I. Washington's retreat. 249 

their hazardous position, he crossed over to the Isl- i -j t o 
and on the night of the 29th of August, and in ^yj^^^ 
person conducted the retreat in so successful a man- AvhLf** 

T . , . , . place did 

ner, under circumstances the most trymsr, that jt theaimj 

' ^ * ^ 07 retreat? 

is considered a remarkable example of good gener- 
alship. A circumstance, which is remarked as J^^^f, 
manifestly providential, is, that a thick fog envel- Sm-. 
oped the whole of Long Island in obscurity about remark 
2 o'clock in the morning, which at this season of 
the year is quite unusual, while the atmosphere on 
the opposite bank was perfectly clear. 

43. About 8 o'clock in the evening, the troops Describe 

, . , ., 4 • I their ro- 

began to move m the greatest silence. A violent treat. 
north-east wind, and the ebb tide, which rendered 
the current very rapid, prevented the passage. 
Many hearts beat anxiously, for much depended 
on this retreat. Suddenly and unexpectedly the 
wind veered to the north-west. They were imme- 
diately wafted over, and in a few moments landed 
in New York. 

44. Never was any movement more manifestly 
favored by Providence, and the Americans felt and stances 

•^ ' ^ are given 

openly acknowledged the especial care of God in l^^Ynter- 
so signally favoring their safe retreat. The wind SPprovi. 
seemed to change, at one time, exactly to their 
need, and at another, an unusual fog veiled them 
from an enemy so near, that the sound of their 
pick-axes was plainly heard. 

45. The field artillery, tents, baggage, and 9,000 
men w^ere conveyed over a river upward of a mile 
wide and landed at New York in less than 13 hours. 
Gen. Washington saw one regiment after another 
eafely depart, and, notwithstanding the entreaties 

11* 



250 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Part II 



17 76 of his officersj was the last to leave the shore. 
In a few minutes after the vear-guard had left the 
iinesj they were entered by the British, 
vyrhat 46. Lord Howe, supposing that the hostile spirit 
jidLofd of the rebels must have been humbled by this de- 
fend to feat, sent a messasre to Congress statins that his 

Congress ^ ^ ^ ^ 

leflan^ Lordship was desirous of a conference with some 
of the members as private gentlemen. The mem- 
bers did not consider themselves justified in doing 

wi^^the this ; but, ever desirous of establishing a peace on 

Con- reasonable terms, offered to send a committee to 
inquire whether his lordship had any authority to 
treat with persons authorized by Congress for this 
purpose, and what that authority was, and also to 
hear such propositions as he should think proper to 
make. 

Who 47. Accordinfflv Dr. Franklin, John Adams, and 

were ap- ^ -^ ' ' 

u?iS?ei Edward Rutledge, were chosen to meet with liord 
Howe? jjQ^y^ on Staten Island. The first proposition of 
What his lordship was, that the colonies should return to 
proposi- their allegiance and obedience to the government 
Howe^ of Great Britain. The committee replied, "It is 
wThat iiot to be expected after the contempt with which 
Siy^of our former humble petitions have been treated ; 
mittee? and it was not till the last act of parliament, which 
denounced war against us, and put us out of the 
king's protection, that we declared our independ- 
ence, and now it is too late for oppressed and indig- 
nant people to return to a dependent state." The 
committee conducted the business with great dig- 
nity and judgment. 

48. Gen. Washington finding New York city an 
unsafe place, as he was in danger of bemg sur- 



ciiap. I. Washington's retreat. 251 

roundedj retired with his whole army about nine it^^e 
miles to the north. This also was a hazardous ^vrhaT 
undertaking ; but he was allowed by a protecting Sentdid 
Providence to effect it — though under a heavy ington 
cannonade from the British shipping. andwhyj 

49. A circumstance occurred on the route which ^y^^^ 
excited considerable interest. Major-general Put- sE?" 
nam, at the head of 3,500 continental troops, was ° 

in the rear, and the last that left the city. In order 
to avoid any of the enemy that might be advancing 
by the main road, he chose another near the North 
river, and parallel with it. But at the same time 
he little suspected, while he was swiftly marching 
with his weary and dispirited soldiers, that a body 
of 8,000 British and Hessians was advancing on the 
same road. Most fortunately for the fate of the 
Americans, the British generals seeing no prospect 
of engaging our troops, halted their own and re- 
paired to the mansion of Mr. Robert Murray, a hoiJ^e*'' 

. , ^ A • • were tha 

firm friend to the cause of American independence. ^^^^^]^ 
Mrs. Murray kindly offered them cake and wine, ^^^^^'^^ 
and they were induced to tarry there some hours. 

50. In the mean time, the soldiers of Putnam 
reached the cross road, and thus escaped a ren- 
counter with a greatly superior force. Ten minutes 
more would have been sufficient to have brought 
them together, and thus cut off Gen. Putnam's 
retreat. Mrs. Murray was often afterward noticed 
in terms of high commendation. 

51. The enemy immediately took possession of 
the city. A few days afterward a most destructive 

fire broke out and raged so violently, that about sld^Vf 
1,000 houses were consumed. Some of the finest 



252 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. p^^.^ j^^ 

IT TO edifices were destroyed. It was estimated, that 
about one-quarter of the city was laid waste. Some 
supposed the disaster was occasioned by American 
emissaries, and others maintained that it was purely 
accidental. 
What 52. It was found, by sad experience, that 
pefience little dependence could be placed on an army of 

t!i light ^ ^ . 

the . militia, whose terms of service were so lioiited, 

Amen- ' > 

rerpect- that they were continually passing from the 

enlisV^'^ camp to their farms. It had been the fond hope 

of the Americans, that the struggle for their inde- 

slid^of^ pendence would not be of long continaance, and 

dpifneof thousands, after the battle of Lexington, rushed 

t earmy? ^-^.^j^ their farms to the scene of action. Many of 

the soldiers were indulged in the privilege of 

choosing their own officers, who too frequently 

proved unqualified to discharge their duties in a 

manner advantageous to the public service. 

53. After the unfortunate battle of Long Island.^ 
the militia deserted theii colors by hundreds, and 
in some instances, whole regiments disbanded. 

Prom These inconveniences proceeded, in some meas- 

these in- yrc, fiom the inabihty of Cons^ress to remunerate 

conve- ' -^ «-' 

tifseT the troops for their expenses and toil during the 
war, but the state of affairs became alarming, and 
threatened a dissolution of the army. 

54. At this critical moment, the energetic mind 
Wash- of Washington strove earnestly to arrest this fear- 
alliTre ful spirit of disorganization. He plainly assured 

Congress, that unless furnished with a permanent 
army, to remain with him until the termination of 
the war, he must despair of success. Hitherto they 
had been unwilling to incur the expense of a sland- 



assure 
Con- 
gress 



Chap. I. STANDING ARMY. 253 

ing force, but they now were aware of the absolute itTG 
necessity of the case, and forthwith resolved to raise ^vhatdid 
one of about 75,000 men, to serve for three years, ^of/eto 
or during the war. 

55. These troops were to be systematically ar- 
ranged ; and to encourage enlistments, each soldier ^[jai^ 
was to receive a bounty of twenty dollars, besides mSn^to^' 
his rations and wages, and one hundred acres of "^^^^^^^ 
land if he served until the close of the war. The 
officers were to receive from two to five hundred 
acres — in proportion to their rank. 

56. Some time must of necessity elapse before a 
better state of affairs could be brought about, and 
Washington endeavored to cheer the little band of waliv "^ 
ill-found and disheartened soldiers, by the hope of Sfcer"hi3 

. . ^ men? 

eventual success, when, m the enjoyment of a free 
government, they might enjoy the peaceful pleas- 
ures of home. Seeing around him a large and vic- 
torious army, eager to oppose him, he manoeuvred 
with great dexterity without risking a general en 
gagement. 

57. On the 16th of September the Americans ^hatad 
gained an advantage over the British, who had wa"s^^*^ 
sought to obtain possession of two roads, leading by^the 
east, from which Washington received his supplies. "^^"^^ 
Major Leitch was mortally wounded at the head of 

his detachment, and the brave Col. Knowlton was ^ho 
killed. The Americans lost about fifty men, killed and amSii? 
wounded, and the enemy more than one hundred. ^Ji^eai 

58. On the 28th of October, a detachment of our 
army under Gen. Lee, opposing a large force under what 
Gens. Clinton and De Heister, eno^asred in warm oi»Dosed 

' ^ ^ Gen. Lee 

sk 'mishes near White Plains and the river Bronx pi^S^® 



254 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. p^^j^ j^I^ 

I TTG Neither party could claim any advantage, and there 
was considerable loss on both sides. That of the 
With British, by their own accounts, was 350 killed, and 
success? 670 wounded and prisoners. As a great number 
of the American militia retired from the field in 
disorder, the proper return of their loss was not ex- 
actly ascertained. 

59. A great number of Hessians and Waldeckers 
fell into the hands of the Americans, and, contrary 

What to their expectations, received very kind treatment. 
thl"wa^ ^^^ British, in order to increase their ferocity, had 
?ecJiv?? led them to believe that if they were taken prison- 
ers, the Americans would most barbarously stick 
their bodies full of splinters and burn them to death 

60. As a strong reinforcement of British troops 
Why did under Lord Percy arrived. Gen. Washington left 
thfnk" his unsafe position on the night of the 30th, and 
?et1re^o retired to North Castle, about five miles distant 
Castle? He left here 7,500 men under Gen. Lee, and crossed 
wh had ^^^ Hudson into New^ Jersey, and took post near 
garrisons p^y^ j^^^^ situatcd ou the North river about ten 
For'ts'^''* miles from New York. Garrisons had been left 
aiJ^ee? ^^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^^ Washington, opposite to Fort Lee, 

in order to preserve the command of the Hudson. 

About 2,700 men, under Col. Magaw, were sta- 
Zm- tioned at Fort Washington. 
S^Foft 61. These were attacked on the 16th of Novem- 

Wash- 

ington? ber, by four divisions of the enemy in different quar- 
!hra?° ters. The little band fought long and bravely, and 
wish several times drove back the enemy with great 
ington? slaughter ; their ammunition was nearly exhausted ; 
were onc outpost after another was forced in, and they 
^^yfeid? ^^^1^ refused the summons to surrender. But they 



Cliap. I. RETREAT TO NEWARK. 255 

found it useless to withstand combined attacks in so itT6 
many directions, and yielded on honorable terms. 

62. The British sustained the loss of about ^^^^^ 
1,200 killed and wounded. The Americans lostEon^ 
about 400 killed or wounded, and the remain- skies? 
der of the garrison was captured. It is said that 
General Washin<xton was so situated, that he 

^ ^ ' How was 

could have a visw of the attack, and when he ^f^^, 
saw his brave men bayoneted while begging for .Sted 
quarter, he wept, and exclaimed bitterly against cruel 
the savage deed. 

63. Fort Lee was soon afterward evacuated by 
Gen. Greene, in order to save the troops from ^j^^^j^ 
being captured, but they lost their stores, tents and the'^e^L- 

, uation of 

baggage. Fort Lee' 

Gen. Washington's force was augmented by the 
ffarrison from Fort Lee ; but even then it only 

^ ' -^ What 

numbered 3,000 men, destitute of tents, blankets, J^jf^^^® 
or even cooking utensils. With these troops he dltfonTr 
retreated to Nevrark with a steadfast heart and ingTon's 

army? 

serene countenance. 

64. Ever relying on God for support and direction, 
he moved calmly forward amid the darkest ^^ 
storms, assured that even defeat in battle, insults dld°™ 
of foes, or ingratitude and treachery in friends, would jnlton 

1 ^ r 1 II rely in all 

eventually work together for good to those whose ^'^^^-'aisi 
cause was blessed of God. Here we still behold 
Washington in thi« darkest hour in American 
history, firmly trusimg in an overruling Provi- 
dence, calling on those around him to exercise the 
same faith, and cheering them in their toilsome 
marches. 

65. Darker and darker gi*ew the cloud above 



256 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Part II. 

IT' ^6 them. Every day ushered in some unlooked-for 
What is calamity. In their retreat through New j^ersey, 
theshL they were exposed in an open country in mid- 
dreary winter, without tents to shelter their scantily clothed 

prospect ' ^ _ '^^ 

llmr^^ forms — poorly fed, without instruments to intrench 

themselves, and in the midst of a population of 

rpairy of torics. Many of the soldiers, both militia and regu- 

diers do? lars, alarmed at the fearful prospect before them, 

deserted in bodies. 
Whit ^^' ^^^'^ Washington pressed onward, while 
wS'^^'^ exulting thousands of the enemy, well fed and con- 
take'^^n fidcnt, pursucd. From Newark, Washington suc- 
treat? cessfully retreated to Brunswick, then to Princeton 
and Trenton, and finally across the Delaware with 
How ma- ^^^^ cucmy oftcu in sight. Here again a call was 
c?fizen^^ made for reinforcements fiom New Jersey and 
deiph'ia^' Pennsylvania, and to the honor of the latter, 1,500 

respond- i • 

caii^fo?^ of the citizens of Philadelphia came promptly to 
fofc'e- the aid of Washington. The)^ cheerfully abandon- 
"^''" ' ed their comfortable fire-sides, and for the love they 
bore their country, were content to spend the 
nights in tents or barns, and oftentimes in the 
open air in mid-winter. 
s^id^of ^^* ^^ ^^^^ generally agreed, that in this distres- 
ilTgto^' sing retreat through New Jersey and over the Dela- 
thYs"ri ware, under the most pressing difficulties, Wash- 
ington displayed the talents and wisdom of a great 
military commander, endowed with unfailing re- 
sources of mind. 

68. Gen. Howe, ao^ain availing himself of the 

What ^ o ^ o ^ 

procia- forlorn condition of the continentals, issued another 

mation 

sued 'by proclamation, couched in haughty style, demand- 
Howe? ing submission to the king's authority within sixty 



Chap. I. Washington's retreat. 257 

days from the date of the paj3er. Two of the i^>-^q 

members of the continental Congiess, Mr. Giallo- j^^^^~ 
way and Mr. Allen, accepted pardon, and submit- de^maids 
ted to kingly rule — but the greater part of the 
American people rejected the offer, though told 
that the gallows would be the alternative. 

69. On the day that our army w^as driven over when^ 
the Delaware, the British, with a fleet and 600 of ^blaf^ 
the army, took possession of Rhode Island without sion^of 

. . ^ , . 1 1 • 1 . Rhode 

any opposition, many of the inhabitants being island? 
friendly to the royal cause. 

Congress resolved, on the 12lh of December, that ^j^^^^ 
it be recommended to all the United States^ as soon ZhJt 
as possible, to appoint a day of fasting and humil- gresson 
iation, imploring God to show favor to them in this of Dec. i 
time of affliction. 

70. They resolved also to retire for safety to Bal- ^r^y ^id 
timore, knowing it to be the intention of the enemy lelye 
to possess themselves of the city of Philadelphia, p^^a? 
Washington, during his retreat, had ordered Gen. 

Lee to join him from White Plains with all possible ^^.j^^^^^. 
speed, but Lee refused to move. Day after day Gen. L^e^e 
passed by, and still no reinforcements appeared, ffom"^*^^ 
At length he saw fit by slow^ marches to put his ington? 
troops in motion, but on the route, as a just punish- 
ment for his disobedience, he was taken prisoner. 

71. For some unaccountable reason, he had taken „ 

* Howwas 

up his lodgings at a house three or four miles from his fshed in 
troops in the heart of a disaffected and tory coun- dieSdoi 
try. Information of this astonishing lact was soon "^^"^^ 
given, and a bod)^ of hght-horse under Col. Har- Describe 
court surrounded the house, and made Gen. Leene^ot^**" 
prisoner. Here was another untoward disaster tu?e^^^ 



258 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. p„,., ,,, 

iTT^for the Americans. The first major-general of 

then- army hurried off as prisoner by a party of 

dragoons, without hat or cloak, to New York, 'm 

triumph. 

What 7^2. Many suspicions were aroused by this sin- 

moba- fibular event. Considering- his protracted disobe- 

reu50Mof dience m the moment ot the most critical danger to 

Lee 'sells- ^ 

orSf ^he army, and knowing the unbounded ambition 
of Gen. Lee, we have no doubt but he delayed, that 
Washington and his dispirited band might fall into 
the hands of the enemy, and the supreme command 
devolve on himself. 
What of 7'3. Gen. Lee was a man of great military ex- 
mlfitlry pericucc, had fought in European battles, and been 
ledge? a chosen friend and aid-de-camp of the king of 
Poland, and knew perfectly well what belonged to 
every subordinate officer, and that there could be 
no greater act of disobedience, than to refuse orders 
like those of Washington. We shall see in pur- 
suing our history, how the wicked are punished 
from their own actions, while the good are rewarded 
by walkinsr in accordance with the laws of God. 

Who •^ ^ . 

now took 74. Gen. Sullivan now took command of Gen. 

cora- 

his dlvt^ Lee's division, and hastened to join the main army, 
what did thus augmenting it to 7,000 effective men. With 
these. Gen. Washington resolved, with all the ener- 
what^re- gy of his mighty spirit, to make one fearful strug- 
wlsh- gl^- He dared not go into winter-quarters in the 
laleT midst of such a season of gloom — almost of despair, 
^^ho At Trenton, on the other side of the icy waters of 

vyere sta- ' ^ -^^ ^ 

on the ^h^ Delaware, were stationed 1,500 Hessians ; while 



side of farther on, at different places, were several othei 

theDela- , , 

ware? detachments. 



CUap. I. CROSSING THE DELAWARE. 259 

75. Headley says, that the noble form of Wash- i-^^e 
ington, on the night of the 25th of December, just ^^ 
at dusk, stood on the shore of the Delaware. His wash-^ 
horse, saddled and bridled, was near him. while all KSod^ 

' ' ^ ^ ' beside 

around were heard the rumbling of artillery wagonsj ^^l^f^^' 
and the confused sounds of marching men and 
hasty orders. The deep, sullen stream went swiftly 
by, and the angry heavens betokened a cold and 
stormy night. 

76. As he stood thus and watched, there stole why did 
over his maiestic countenance a look of inexpressi- feelings 

, "^ ^ ^ steal over 

ble solemnity. Before the morning the fate of that h^"*- 
gallant army would be fixed, and the next rising 
sun would shine down on his country lifted from 
its depth of despondency, or sunk still deeper in 
ruin. Events big with the fate of the army and 
the nation were crowding to their development, and 
his soul was absorbed in their contemplation. 

77. At length the boats were launched amid the Describe 

'^ the pas- 

floating ice, and were soon struggling in the centre thrrivcr. 

of the stream. The night was dark and cold — the 

wind swept by in gusts, and amid the roar of the 

water and crashing of the ice were heard the loud 

words of command and shouts of the men. 

78. The boats, forced backward and forward by 
the icy fragments, became scattered in the gloom, and 
would have been thrown into confusion, but for the 
friend of Washington, Knox, who, standing on the 
farther shore, kept shouting through the darkness said^of^ 
with his stentonm voice, thus indicating the point ^"/fon 
for which they were to steer. There too stood Wash- e'?the' 
ington, hour after hour, with that strangely cahn, mentsof 
J «.t determined face, while his soul was racked with 



260 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Part II, 

1Y»7'6 anxiety as the night waned rapidly away, and his 
^f^gp distracted army still struggled in the midst of the 
h5f(f icy stream. All night long did he stand there, on 
the river, the frozen shorc, urging on his weary troops — now 
d?dthl looking anxiously at his watch, and now striving 
divfsiolis to pierce the gloom that covered the water, 
army 79. At Icnffth, at four o'clock in the morning", the 

take, and o 5 &' 

^Jg^fj^gi^ columns got under way, and pressed rapidly for- 
iioni^' ward. Sullivan, with one column, took the road 
Dec. 26. beside the river, while Washington, with Greene, 
took a parallel road, intending to enter Trenton m 
Describe different points at the same time. It was still 
mitch. dark, and just then, as if in harmony with the 
scene, a storm of snow and hail arose, driving full 
in the soldiers' faces. Their clothes were soaked 
with wet, and the muskets, many of them, rendered 
unfit for use. Still, in reply to the fearful question, 
" What is to be done ?'^ the disheartening intelli- 
gence was given, '^ Advance and charge .'" 

80. Nearing the Hessian picket, Washington 
ordered the guns to be unlimbered, and the whole 

w.hatis column to advance. Still riding in front, where 

said of . . 

the first volley must fall, his friends became alarm- 
ed for his safety, and again and again besought 
him to fall back to a place of greater security. But 
he rode sternly forward amid their guns, with the 
storm beating furiously on his noble brow, every 
lineament of his countenance revealing the unal- 
terable purpose of his soul. 

81. The thunder of cannon was now heard 
through the storm from Sullivan's division ; and 
Stark, with the advance guard, had already 
broken into the streets, and with a battle shout 



Wash 
ingtoj ? 



CliQp. X. BATTLE OF TRENTON. 261 

aroused the Hessians from their dream of security ^^'^6 
The smoke of the artillery curled around the form ^^b^ 
of Washington, as, still beside them, he moved on a^cu""" 
and calmly pointed out the different objects on 
which the fire should be directed. 

82. All now was confusion — the clattering of 
flying horsemen sounded through the streets, offi- 
cers hurried to and fro to rally their men, and 
shouts and cries rung through the air in every 
direction. Just then, the enemy wheeled two can- 
non into the street up which the column of Wash 
ington was advancing. Young Monroe, afterward 
one of our presidents, and Capt. Washington, a re- 
lative of the commander-in-chief, immediately 
sprung forward with their men, charged up to the 
very muzzles, and took them, although the lighted 
matches were already descending on the pieces. 
When the smoke lifted, these two gallant officers 
were both seen reclining in the arms of their fol- 
lowers, wounded, though not mortally. 

83. The Americans pressed onward, bearing ^^^^ 
down all opposition, until the enemy, confused and TeinUot 
terrified, struck their flags. At a gallop Washing- tie^ ^ 
ton dashed forward, exclaiming to one of his offi- 
cers, ''This is a glorious da]/ for our country f 

Col. Rahl, the commanding officer, was mortally 
wounded, and seven other wounded officers were 
left on parole at Trenton. 

84. About 35 soldiers were killed, 60 w^ounded, 
and 948, including 30 officers, were taken prison- ^rhat 
ers, amounting in all to 1,048. Of our troops, not m^^^ 
more than 10 were killed and wounded. Gen. |nfton 

take af- 

Washington recrossed the Delaware the same day {fghn* 



262 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. p^rt H 

1TT6 1^1 triumph, bringing off six excellent brass cannonj 
1,200 small arms, three standards, and a quantity 
of baggage. This was a brilliant achievement, 
and was every where considered a master stroke m 
the art of war. 

v\^hat 85. The Hessian prisoners were allowed to retain 

ivasdone "^ 

Si^s^skll^ their baggage, and sent into Pennsylvania with 
efsTnd strict orders from Washington, thai they should be 
they call treated w^th kindness. This wae unexpected to 

Wash- . ^ 

ington? them and called forth emotions ot gratitude and 
veneration for Washington, whom they called a 
" very good rebp.U'^ 

What 86. The British were astonished that an army, 

were the *^ ' 

D?thf which they considered as on the point of annihi- 
o"hear- l^tiou, should darc to attack them. They were 
battle? idly reposing, in the hope that one battle would 

forever crush the rebellion, as they termed our war. 

In their march through New Jersey they had com- 
^^^^ mitted such outrageous ravages and indiscriminate 
haJflhly plunder, as must be deemed disgraceful to any peo- 
tTh!*" pie. Hundreds of inoffensive inhabitants were 

New Jer- 

sey? stripped of their clothing, and exposed, in the midst 

of horrid insults and indecencies, to the inclemency 

of the season. 

yulh^^'^ 87. The cries of the oppressed were heard, and 

dS" reinforcements of militia and troops enabled Wash- 

mine to . . i-r-ii.Ts.TT 

tio? mgton agam to cross the Delaware mto JNew Jer- 
what ®^y? ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ enemy under Cornwallis, who had 
TmoiSt been dispatched from New York with a large army 
English to retrieve the heavy disasters of Ti enton. Wash- 
forceiT" ii^gton had 4,700 men, only 1,200 of whom were 
regulars, while Cornwallis w^as at the head of 8,000 



Ctiap. I. POSITION OF THE ARMIES. 263 

veteran troops, well supplied with dragoons and .lillj? 
artillery. 

88. Detachments of the Americans were sent yhat or- 

ders were 

forward to harass the march of CornwalUs, with ^^^^^.^^ 
orders to dispute every inch of the ground. Bravely ^"^^®" • 
they obeyed their command, bearing up gallantly 
against the advancing host, until at sunset, the two 
armies, drawn up for battle, stood front to front, in 
terrific uproar from the cannon on both sides. 
Washington's situation was one of peril, with a su- th^meet- 
perior enemy in front, and the Delaware river in two ar- 

* ./ ? mies. 

the rear. 

89. A successful attack on our army would ^a^/the 
prove its ruin. But he relied on Providence, as he ofwa?h. 



situation 
pfWas 

told his troops before facing the enemy — " Main- and what 



did he 



to his 



tain every inch of your position till night, and trust ^'f^Vs/ 
to Providence for the rest." When the gathering 
sliades of evening deepened, Cornwallis, contrary to thelkin?' 
the repeated remonstrances of his officers, com- P'ovi- 

» ^ ^ dence 

nianded the attack to cease until daylight. Here ^^^°^"* 
was shown the kind care of Providence in which the 
Commander-in-chief trusted. 

90. Forthwith Washington began to extricate ^p^^}^ 
himself from this perilous situation, and here again exfrSlte 
we see the skill and address of a great general. In fillJJf lis 

•1 11 1 r-ii'/* perilous 

the eveninor he ordered a number oi blazmo^ fires fitua- 

^ o tjon? 

to be kindled in his camp, leaving men to keep them jan. 3. 
burning, and to work on the intrenchments to de- 
ceive his antagonist. 

91. Rousing his weary men, he bade them J^J^^^^**^* 
silently move on by a circuitous route. The gwfn, 
weather was very cold, and the ni^ht dark, but were ^^ 

I -' ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ they 

they cheerfully followed their general, without noise «i>tyedi 



864 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. p^^^t 11 

lY^.^ ^1* inteiTuption of any kind, until 9 o'clock the next 

morning, when they attacked and routed three 

What regiments of the British stationed at Princeton. 

bss if^ The enemy lost about 500 men, by this well-timed 

ish? manoeuvre. Our loss was small numerically, but a 

beloved and gallant form lay prostrate in death, 

over whom many tears were shed. 

What is 92. Brigadier-general Mercer, finding himself in 

cin.**^ the hands of the enemy, submitted, but they, deaf 

to the cry for quarter, fell upon him with worse than 

savage cruelty. Not satisfied in their murderous 

thirst for blood, by stabbing him again and again 

with their bayonets, they disfigured his face with 

the butt-end of a musket in a most horrible manner. 

93. Washington, during the heat of the battle, 
seized a flag from a standard-bearer, and pushed 
forward in front, about thirty yards from both ar- 
mies, regardless of danger, encouraging his troops 
to make a bold stand. 

94. While the battle was raging at Princeton, 
Ks^"^^' the British were under arms preparing to subdue 
BrltTsh^^ the Americans at Trenton. Little did they dream 

that their camp was evacuated, and baggage, artil- 
their sur- ^^^T? ^^^ storcs entirely beyond their reach. Corn 
Surit^-' wallis could scarcely believe the fact, and walking 

out to survey the grounds, was arrested by a heavy 
What is sound which, for an instant, he supposed to be thun- 

said of -n. . . , ^^ . . T 

[^ornwai- (Jer. But it was a clear bright morning m Janu- 
mo?e- aiy? and the next time the fearful sound broke over 
did he his camp, he knew that it was caused by Washing- 
ton's cannon. 

95. Lord Cornwallis was ashamed of his vain 
boasts, when he found himself outgeneraled by 



What of 
Wash- 
ington? 



What 



Cliap. I. COMMISSIONERS TO FRANCE. 266 

troops he scorned. Astonished at these bold move- i'xtt 
ments, he instantly fell back with his whole force, 
and abandoned every post he held southward of 
New Yorkj except Brunswick and Amboy. The ex- 
asperated inhabitants of New Jersey ever afterward the'ped- 
remembered their sufferings and insults, and rose ^^"^/jf 
to arms in bodies to repel so remorseless an enemy. 

96. Washington had gained his point — his men m^h-**^ 
were cheered, and on every side he was hailed as andhia 

^ •^ ^ ^ men ? 

the one raised by God for the salvation of his coun- 
try. He could now, with safety, retire for the win- 
ter. He took up his quarters at Morristown, where 
his army were nearly all inoculated with small- 
pox, which disease had proved fatal in some cases. 
Congress, fully sensible of the high military char- ^J^^^^^ 
acter of Washington, conferred on him more ample Silr- 
powers, investinsT him with full authority to reform was*h- 
and new model the army, as he judged proper. 

97. Aware of the importance of inducing tlie ^^jj^ 
French to espouse the American cause, and relying Fmnce 

I . y T^ • r^ T-k • • as com 

on the enmity or b ranee against Great Britain, mission- 
they appointed as commissioners to the court of 
France, Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and 
Arthur Lee. They were instructed to procure witf tiw 
arms and ammunition, to obtain permission to fit siSf ' 

' ^ to do? 

out American vessels in the ports of France, to 
annoy the commerce of England. They direct- 
id them to solicit a loan of 10,000,000 francs, and 
.o endeavor, by every means in their power, to pre- 
/ail on the French Government to recognize the 
ndependence of the United States. The campaign 
was not ended until carried into the first mcnth of 
the next year. 

12 



266 REVOLTTTtONARY WAR. p^rt 11, 



CHAPTER II 



CAMPAIGN OF 1777. 

1111 

What is ^' Gfen. Washington showed himself, in all pouits 

Gen.**^ worthy the confidence reposed in him, by his ener- 
inlton's getlc measures to enlarge the army and encourage 
^ffiring ^^^ dispirited. Though his noble heart ached for 
soldiers? ^YiQ privations of his soldiers, he pressed onward, 
every where meeting them with words of kindness, 
oftentimes emptying his own purse to relieve their 
sufferings. Day after day he followed the tracks 
of their bleeding feet on the frozen ground, entered 
their huts, praised their constancy, visited the sick, 
and fervently besought the God of nations to es- 
pouse their cause. Morning after morning, with 
the same serene countenance, he was seen engaged 
in works of mercy to the suffering. 
S-^ 2. Gen. Lee, whose capture has been noticed, 
Gen, Lee was kept iu closc Confinement in the Provost prison, 

receive) ^ . . 

in New York, and received the most rigid and un- 
generous treatment. Gen. Washington opened a 
correspondence with- Gen. Howe, and made propo- 
sals for his exchano^e, which w^ere rejected. But 
ed m^^aii Grcn. Lce was not the only imprisoned sunerer. 
that"prfs- 3. From every part of the country arose the 
wa/^**^ voice of lamentation. In all armies prisoners of 
De treat- war have a just claim on the humane; from the 
moment of their captivity it is expected that hos- 



Cbap. II. CRUELTIES OF THE BRITISH. 267 

tilities toward them cease. Being disarmed, no ittr 
arm can justly be raised against them ; and while 
they conduct in a manner becoming their captivity, 
they should be treated with lenity. Among savage 
tribes, captives are tortured ; but to the shame of 
the English it can be said, that treatment such as 
our prisoners received during the revolution, has 
scarcely been known in the annals of war. whatdid 

^ the Eng- 

4. It would seem that the ties of countrymen [ofo^^^JS 
weie disregarded, and men speaking the same Ian- conduct 
guage, and acknowledging the same God, exhaust- «n«rs? 
ed every means of cruelty to torture those whom 
they spurned as rebels. The following, taken from 
Gen. AVashington's letter of complaint to Gen. 
Howe, is abrief summary of the systematic method j^^p^^^ 
adopted and practised for their destruction. " The fmct*' 
prisoners were crowded into the holds of prison- wash- 

' A mgton's 

ships, where they were almost suffocated for want *®"®'- 
of air, and into churches, and open sugar-houses, 
(fcc, without a spark of fire. Their allowance of 
provisions and water for three days was insufficient 
for one, and in some instances they were four days 
entirely destitute of food. The pork and bread, 
for they had no other sustenance, and even the 
water allowed them, were of the worst quality, and 
totally unfit for human beings." 

5. He adds that a minute detail would only 
serve to harrow up the feelings of surviving friends ; 
suffice it to say, that in consequence of the most 
Darbarous treatment, not less than 1500 American 

oldiers died within a few weeks. Thus perished, 
m the utmost wretchedness, brave young men, the 
pride and shield of their country, and the beloved 



268 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Part 11^ 



ITTT of manj^ a devoted parent. After death had re- 
leased the suffererSj their bodies were dragged out 
What be of the prisons, and piled up till enough were col- 
?K° lected for a load, when they were carted out and 

dead J 

bodies? tumbled into a ditch, and slightly covered with 

earth. 
^j^^^ 6. Prisoners were, in addition to this, constantly in- 
ifz'ing suited and tantalized by the British officers, who told 
weretoid them with the luostfriffhtful profanitv, that the treat- 

pnson- . 

'^'^- men t was too good for rebels, and they should get 
twice as much severity unless they returned to his 
Majesty's service. But they loved liberty, and chose 
death rather than subject themselves and their pos- 
terity to a tyrant's sway. 
What in- 7. In one instance, four of our wounded officers, 
fe^ld^^' ^^ respectable rank, were put in a cart, and convey- 
wiiHams ^^ throLigh the streets of New York, as objects of 
e?s?°^ " derision — reviled as rebels, and treated with the 
utmost contempt. Otho Williams, subsequently 
adjutant-general to the Southern army, and others, 
were seated on coffins, with ropes around their 
necks, as a farce to make them believe they were 
riding to the gallow^s. 
Repeat 8. To the forcgoiug unparalleled catalogue of crim- 
extract inal procccdiugs, we add others, taken from another 
writer. "The enemy wantonly destroyed the New 
York water works, an elegant public library, at 
Trenton, and the grand orrery made by Ritten- 
house, which was placed in the college at Prince- 
ton, a piece of mechanism that the most untu- 
tored savage, staying the hand of violence, would 
have beheld with wonder and delight. Thus they 
warred against liberty, virtue, and the arts and 



Chap. II. BRIIISH CRUELTIES. 209 

sciences. To make war against learning and lite- ittT 
rature is only fit for the rudest savage." 

9. Gov. Livingston, in an elegant speech to the pov^liv*^ 
General Assembly of New Jersey, said, "They say oil 
have plundered friends and foes ; effects capable J«<^^' 
of division they have divided ; such as were not 
they have destroyed ; they have warred on de- 
crepid old age and on defenseless youth ; they have 
committed hostilities against the professors of lite- 
rature and the ministers of religion ; against pub- 
lic records and private monuments ; books of im- 
provement and papers of curiosity ; and against the 

arts and sciences. They have butchered the 
wounded while asking for quarter, mangled the 
dead, weltering in their blood, and refused them the 
rites of sepulture ; suffered prisoners to perish for 
want of sustenance ; insulted the persons of fe- 
males ; disfigured private dwellings of taste and 
elegance, and in the rage of impiety and barba- 
rism, profaned edifices dedicated to Almighty God." 

10. We do not wonder that the Americans re- 
fused to return to allegiance to a power allowing 
such treatment. We involuntarily shudder as we our emo* 

•^ tions in 

read their sufferings, and ask if all this was re- ^{flj^jf 
ceived from people, from whom we derived our ori- fnfr* 
gin ? Reconciliation to such a power ! A more 
dreadful curse could scarcely be denounced ! how 

*' were 

It is here worthy of observation, that the British pjj^?", 
nnd Hessian prisoners in our hands were treated in lieSted? 
a manner directly the reverse of that just described, ^e^rHhe 
and they never found cause to complain. ScL^of 

11. The first at ten pts of the British during the ishdi;^ 

^ ° . rected 

campaign of 1777, were against the American ^"^'^^' 



were 
I 
out 



270 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Pari II, 



i-rtt stores collected at Courtland Manor in New York, 

and at Danbiuy in Connecticut. 
What On the 25th of April, 2,000 men under Gov. 
tionfdfd Tryon, major of the Provincials or Tories, having 

Governor J i J i o 

troops'^ passed the sound, landed between Fairfield and 
rommit? Norfolk. Thc next day, proceeding to Danbury 
they forced the garrison to retire, destroyed l.SOC 
barrels of beef and pork, and 800 of flour, 2,000 
bushels of grain, clothing for a regiment, and 1.790 
tents. Besides this wanton destruction of food and 
clothing, they burned the town, and after murder- 
insr three inhabitants, threw them into the flames. 

What . 

wasdone 12. Gencrals Sullivan, Wooster, and Arnold, 

by Gene- , ^ , ' ' 

lanfSd' happening to be in the neighborhood, hastily col- 

^**°^^'' lected about 600 militia, and marched in pursuit 

for two miles, in a heavy rain. On the morning of 

the 27th, they divided the troops. Gen. Wooster 

taking about three hundred, and falling in the rear 

of the enemy, while Arnold took post in front at 

Ridgefield. Both parties conducted with distin- 

wo^u^nded guished bravery, but were obliged to retreat. Gen. 

fetfeat? Woostcr was iu his 70th year, and was "mortally 

wounded. 

What is 13. The next day the enemy set fire to Ridgefield, 

Soid'V ^^^^ were still harassed by Arnold, who fought. 

conduct? ^yjt^i^^j^ig accustomed bravery, almost amounting to 

recklessness. In the thickest of the fire, he was 

always to be seen galloping hither and thither, 

seemingly impervious to bullets, although his brave 

charger often sunk, being shot under him. Noth- 

What ing daunted in such cases, he would mount an- 

Clon*' other and on to the battle. The British de- 

sides? spairod of gaining any of the inhabitants to their 



Cliap.II. GENERAL LAFAYETTE. 271 

ranks, and being annoyed by Arnold, took refuge 1-777 
on board their ships. They had lost 170 men, and 
the Americans 100. 

14. Congress resolved that a monument should wi's^e- 
be erected to the memory of Gen. Wooster, and a con^ *' 

gressJ 

beautiful horse properly caparisoned, was presented 
to Gen. Arnold, as a reward for his gallantry on this 
occasion. 

The British had collected at Sag Harbor, on ]^^^^^^,,^ 
Long Island, immense magazines of forage and SSr? 
grain. Col. Meigs, who had been one of Arnold's 
brave associates in the expedition to Canada, with 
130 men on liie 23d of May, destroyed the stores, 
burned a dozen brigs and sloops, killed 6 of the 
enemy, took 90 prisoners, and returned in triumph, 
not having lost a man. 

15. While these and similar events had been why did 

...»..! . . I France 

iranspn-mg in America, the commissioners who wish us 

^ . success 

had been sent to France, to procure assistance, i»^var? 
were not idle. France wished us success, because 
it would avenge her for the loss of her colonies in 
this country, and humble the haughty bearing of ^^^^ 
her rival in the New World. Amid conflicting J^eich- 

, , , man es- 

emotions m many hearts, there v/as at least one pousea 

•^ ^ ouicau."e 

brave and noble soul, who espoused our cause fiom fo^J^j^h?'^ 
love for liberty. This was the young and gallant ^'^^' 
Lafayette. 

16. He listened with enthusiasm to the story of 
our wrongs and oppressions, and forthwith ex- 
claimed, " My heart espouses warmly the cause of 
liberty, and henceforth I shall think of nothing, Lafay- 

♦^ ' ^^ ette say 

but of adding my aid. The moment I heard of '^^Jf'^'' 
America I loved her ; the moment I knew she was 



272 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Part II. 

ilTT fighting for freedonij I burned with a desiire of 
bleeding for her ; and the moment I shall be able to 
serve her in any part of the world, will be the hap- 
piest one in my life." 
whatex- 17. He obtained an introduction to Silas Deane, 
makfin ^"^^^ gl^^ly gavo him a letter to Congress, requesting 
aSus^ his appointment as major-general in the American 
army. A vessel was ordered to be fitted out, but the 
sad news of one defeat after another seemed to ren- 
der our cause hopeless. It was no longer possible to 
obtain a vessel. The difficulty only urged on the 
lover of freedom, and immediately he purchased a 
vessel which he intended fitting out with his own 
means, when the king, hearing of his plans, ordered 
him back, while his friends were loud in their cen- 
sures of the interest he took in our cause. 
^,jjj^ 18. Finally, he disguised himself as a courier, 

Recess and escaped to his vessel, in which, accompa- 
finaiiy nicd bv the Baron de Kalb and eleven other officers, 

meet, . ^ 

tstJdof ^^ ^^^ sail m safety. After a voyage of about fifty 

voyaged ^^7^, he rcachcd Georgetown, in South Carolina, 

and having visited Charleston, and listened with 

tice^diT" deho^ht to the storv of Fort Moultrie, he presented 

he take " 

Mouftrie ^^^ brave Moultric with clothing and arms for 150 
^irn^ men, and repaired in haste to Philadelphia, travel- 
ing a weary route of 900 miles on horseback. 
Howwas 19. Here he presented his letters to Congress, 
cdved'by They looked at him, as he stood before them only 
gress? 19 years of age, and little dreamed of the value of 
the friend raised by God in our behalf. Thev 

What 

gotedid looked upon him as a mere boy, and received him 
con.^^ coldl}^ — but he was not to be oflfended, and addres- 
sed a note to Congress, saying. "After the sacrifices 



Cliap. II. MOVEMENTS OF THE ARMIES. 273 

I have made, I have the right to exact two favors ; iitT 
one is to serve at my own expense — the other is to 
serve at first as a volunteer." Cons^ress w^as 
moved by this magnanimity, and made out his com- 
mission. From the moment of his introduction to [Xy'f^ 
Washington, their friendship commenced, and in cefveTby 
the whole course of our history, there is nothing ington? 
more touching than the love which these men bore 
to each other. 

20. Near the end of May, the American army, what 

•^ ' •' > move- 

numbering about 18,000 men, moved from its win- diS"both 
ter-quarlers at Morristown, and took post at Middle- Sein 
brook ; on which the British left their encamp- spring? 
ment, and Gen. Howe endeavored to induce Gen. 
Washington to meet him on equal ground. But 
Washington chose to continue his defensive sys- 
tem of warfare, and not to risk an open battle. 
Finding various feints and attempts ineffectual, he 
ordered a precipitate retreat to Staten Island. He 

* ^ . What did 

til en embarked 16,000 troops, and leaving Sir gen.^ 
Henry Chnton in command at New York, put to SS^and 
sea, carefully keeping his destination a secret. On 
the 20th of August, the fleet entered Chesapeake 
bay, intending an attack on Philadelphia. 

21. The American armv immediately crossed what 

•^ •' was the 

(he Delaware, and directed its march toward the ^^^^^g. 
enemy's route. The people were impatient at h^2l 
what they considered indecisive movements, and ^^J 
delays, and demanded a general engagement for ^eoSe^* 
the defense of Philadelphia. Washington yielding wfth^ 
to then* wishes, with Generals Greene, Sullivan, ^{;^"^'J|\ 

did they 



Wayne, and Stirling, took position on the eastern demandi 

Who 
were tJ 
Amcrl- 



bank of Brandy wine creek, to dispute the passage JJ2?eth« 



274 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Part II. 

nil ^^ ^^^ British, who were advancing in splendid 

can Gen- 9<rray. 

wKt^" 22. These, under CornwalUs and Knyphausen 

position . . 

d^'JJ^ey numbered 18,000 well drilled troops, and it seemed 
Who hazardous to risk such an unequal engagement, 
manned At last, Washiugtou relinquished his own superior 
frSops? judgment, by risking a disadvantageous action. 
He, however, with acknowledged skill, planned the 
range-'^'^' ordcr of battle, and stationed reo^iments at differ- 

ment did i i . i . 

Wash- ent fords to sruard the river, sendmor scouts out m 

ington o ' ^ 

make? yarious dircctious, on a strict watch for the ap- 
proach of the troops. Gen. Sullivan commanded 
the highest and most important post up the river. 
Had he used all the precaution demanded of him, 
he might have saved much disorder and loss of life. 

23. On the 11th of September, the British army 
moved forward in two columns, intending with one 
to occupy the attention of Washington, while the 

What other should silently march round and attack the 

false in- 

feiii- rear. Washmgton was prevented from executmg 

gence or o 

7n^ind a bold design of dividing the British army, and 
fecfwas cutting off Knyphausen's regiment, by false intelli- 
ced? gence from Sullivan, that Cornwallis was not ap- 
proaching. By this, much time was lost in coun- 
termanding orders, and Cornwallis fell upon the 
Americans, when they were in some measure un- 
prepared to receive him. 

24. A destructive action ensued, in which Sul- 
livan and his troops, in connection with all engaged 

vs^hat 13 fought with great bravery. Lafayette seeing two 

faiy-^ of Gen. Sullivan's aids killed, and the discomfited, 

conduct preneral in vaia trvinof to rally his shattered troops, 

i!r?^^'* leaped from his horse and marched among them 



Cliap.II. BATTLE OF BRANDYWINfi. 275 

sword in hand, when he too fell wounded by a i^tt 
musket ball. Washington then came up with ^^ 
Greene's corps as a reserve. Thev fought bravely, thftel 
for a while keeping tne British m cneck — but nothing g^ "^^e'^"" 
could now arrest the disorder, and they retreated 
after having contested the ground in the most 
determined manner. 

25. The American loss in killed, wounded, and what 
prisoners, was over 1,000 ; the British about half {jjs^on 
that number. Side by side with the Americans, ^^'^^^^ 
were Lafayette, the Baron St. Ovary a brother wh^t 
Frenchman who was made prisoner, and the brave gudhed 
Count Pulaski, who was afterward rewarded with ^r^ ^^ 
the rank of brigadier-general. '^J^^, 

26. The Americans retreated through Philadel- to what 
phia to Germantown, but Washington, notwith- tkl^^ , 
standing the unfortunate event of the battle of tSST 
Brandywine creek, determined to risk another at- 
tempt for the defense of the capital. He according- what 
ly repassed the Schuylkill, and met the enemy near ment' 
Goshen, about 18 miles west of Philadelphia. But y^^^^ 
a violent shower of rain compelled them to defer with ^"'^ 
the engagement. Gen. Wayne had been detached Access? 
with 1,500 men to annoy the rear of the enemy, but in J^/^^^/' 
the darkness of the night, his men were surprised, wa"yr?^ 
and about 300 killed. £^^. 

27. Congress, deeming themselves insecure in 
Philadelphia, removed the public archives and mag- Sjour?^ 
azines to Lancaster, to which place they ad- ^s^A* 
journed. An easy access to Philadelphia was now 
given to the enemy, and on the 26th of September, 
they made a triumphal entry into the city without was then 
opposition. The main body of the British was sta- ^X^r% 



276 



REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Part II. 



l^'^'^ tioned at Germantown, which is distant about 7 

we^e'tho ^^lil^s north-west from Philadelphia. Washington 

miesTn- encamped at 18 miles distance from Germantown. 

Immediately ifter the occupation of the capital, 

To what 

Howe^di- ^^^- Howe directed his attention to the reduction 
atten^'^ of somc forts ou the river Delaware, which fortg 

rendered it unsafe for the British to navigate that 

river. 

Why 

jere for- 28. Tlic Amcricaus hoped to prevent the enemy 

eSSed f^om receiving supplies of provisions by water, and 

Island? for this purpose had erected batteries at Mud Island, 

Red Bank, and BiUing's Port, and had sunk 

ranges of frames in the river to obstruct the navi- 

Why was ^ 

ilni'dS gation. It was to remove these impediments, that 
fhithSl Col. Stirling was sent with a detachment of (he 
royal army. Washington seized this opportunity 
to attack the remainder of the army at Germantown. 
ISdlF 29. This enterprise planned with great judgment 
tie of promised success. On the morning of October 4th 

German- ^ ^ ^ ^ 

town? ^[^Q enemy was surprised, and at one point a party 
was routed and 110 made prisoners, but they were 
afterward retaken. Nearly the whole force of the 

What two armies was involved in the contest, in which 

was said 

wa?h"" both fought bravely. Gen. Washington, in a letter 
a"feue/" to Congicss, says, "The morning was extremely 
uress? foggy, which prevented our improving the advan- 
tage we had gained as well as we otherwise should 
have done. This circumstance by conceahng from 
us the true situation of the enem}^, obhged us tc 
act with more caution and less expedition than W6 
could have wished, and hindered our different par- 
ties from acting in concert." 

30. In the midst of the most promising appear- 



Cbap. II. BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN. 277 

ances of victory, the troops suddenly began to itt-T 
retreat in spite of every effort made to rally them, ^^at 
The enemy were broken, dispersed and flying in bS^on 
all quarters, and we were in possession of their sides at 

17 r German- 

whole encampment, artillery, &c., but confusion at *''^"- 

last ensued, and we Avere repulsed with a loss of 200 
killed, 600 wounded, and 400 prisoners." The Brit- 
ish lost about 100 killed and 500 wounded. Gen. 
Knyphausen was wounded, and Gen. De Heister's 
son and several other officers of rank were wounded 
or slain. 

31. Washington was mortified at the repulse at ^Jjf the 
Germantown, after an auspicious commencement, onvSL 
which indicated a speedy victory. Congress ex- Sfs'^re" 
pressed their approval of his plan of attack, and what 
Bpoke m niffh terms oi the courao^e oi most of the eress ex- 

I <-> o press? 

troops. The British, after this action, removed to to what 
Philadelphia, and Washington encamped ^^bout ^he^E^y 
eleven miles from Germantown. ^Y^' 

32. After considerable skirmishing and a pro- did^*^^ 

Wash" 

tracted defense of the forts on the Delaware, the ^"ston 

7 encamp? 

river was at last cleared, and a free communication what 

' finally 

opened for the British between New York and ^^jj.^^ 
Philadelphia. The enemy flattered themselves that ware ? 
the possession of Philadelphia would soon prove Jia\he 
decisive in the contest. . The Americans were not IS^ 
disheartened. Notwithstanding they had gained seues? 
little bv the last battles, so much skill and bravery were no» 

, , 1 II- • theAme- 

had been shown that then* reputation was en- ^^^"4^.1 
hanced. |fl't 

33. In the mean while Washington's army had ^J^J^^ ^^ 
received reinforcements from the North, and menSf" 
amounted to 12,000 continentals and 300 militia, wash- 

mgton 



ace on 
the Dela- 



278 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. p^^^ II, 

it'^'i With these, he advanced to White Marsh, within 
receive, ^^ Hiiles of the Capital. Gen. Howe marched 
pofiSilf Avithin three miles, but finding Washington too 
two ar- prudent to leave his strong position, he thought 
take up? pi-Qpei- iQ withdraw, and retire for the winter to 

Philadelphia. 
\vher6 3^ Washington now gave orders that prepara- 
in^on tions sliould bo made for winter-quarters, and York, 
mine to Lancaster and Carlisle were named as proper 

go into r r 

qnanersi placcs. But rather than leave a large and fertile 
region exposed to the enemy, he chose to march to 
Valley Forge, a deep dale, about 20 miles north- 
west of Philadelphia. Accordingly, on the 11th 
of December, he left White Marsh, and retired to 
Valley Forge. In this dreary place they passed one 
of the most rigorous winters ever experienced in 
the United States. 
sSd^of^ 35. The troops, scantily clothed, prepared to 
feringsof meet the riffor of that winter by erectin^: a 

the army ° ^ . *^ ^ 

l\^^'^^ number of log huts, filled in with mortar. The 
weather was so intensely cold, that before these 
barracks were completed, many a soldier was 
frozen to death. So destitute of necessary cloth- 
ing were they, that the greater part were with- 
out a shirt — some with a remnant of a blanket, 
and many without a shoe or stocking. In the 
midst of sufferings to which the world can scarce- 
ly show a parallel, they were seldom heard to 

Why did i^urmur. Relying on the justice of their cause. 

mmmmi they prcssed forward, crying, "We are fighting for 
Ijiberty — let us have freedom from oppression for 
ourselves and our children !" 

36. While these events were transpiring in the 



C?]iap.II. EVACUATION OF CANADA. 279 

Middle States, scenes of thrilling interest were en- itTT 
acted in the North. To retain, as far as possible, a why ha« 
connected view of the war, we have chosen to leave northern 
our northern army unmentioned till this period, been 

»^ ^ men- 

The young reader will, we trust, endeavor to go back *^°"^^' 
in the order of time to the year 1775, and recall the 
situation of both armies at that period. To pre- what is 
sent the events of 177"^, we will merely state, in review^ 
review, that in the autumn of 1775, after Colonels 
Allen and Arnold had taken Ticonderoga and 
Crown Point by surprise. Gen. Montgomery re- 
duced the fort of St. Johns, captured Montreal, 
and made an ineffectual, though desperate attack 
on Giuebec. 

37. On the return of spring, 1776, the American onthe 
army gradually retired up the St. Lawrence, and the. ^ 
after losing one post after another, in June they ]^l^^^ ^^ 
entirely evacuated Canada. These reverses did my 7^^' 
not at all dampen the ardor of the troops in this 
quarter, and preparations were busily made to nieet 

an expected invasion from the enemy in the spring 
of 1777. A plan was concerted by which Bur- ^^^^ 
goyne, who had superseded Carleton in the com- adoptll'" 
mand of the British forces in Canada, was to pene- glynejo 

' ^ cut oft 

trate the back settlements of New York, and form ^^^Jf^n; 
a junction with Gen. Howe at the metropolis, thus fe^Elnd 
cuttinof off all communication between New Ensr- die 

^ . . states? 

land and the middle States, after which, they sup- 
posed both sections could easily be subdued. 

38. By express orders of the ministry, Burgoyne whose 
immediately armed and secured the services of did Bur- 
several tribes of Indians inhabiting the country be- ^"^*''' 
tween the Mohawk river and Lake Ontario, about 



280 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. p„^|. n 

ITTT 2,500 French Canadians, and as many Hessians 
^yj^j^t exclusive of a corps of artillery and a large body 
he'ma'ke of Veteran troops from England. With this formi- 

preparE 
tioiis to 
attack: 



tionsto dable army, on the first of .Kily, he made prepara- 



tions to invest Ticonderosra. 



o 



Sa- 39. Before proceeding to the attack, Burgoyne 

dicfBur- made a great war feast for the Indians, and issued 

Lsue? a most extraordinary proclamation, calling on the 

Americans to submit, or suffer the consequences of 

savage ferocity. After enumerating a string of 

titles in the most pompous manner, he threatens all 

who shall oppose his authority, saying, " I have 

but to give stretch to the Indian forces under my 

direction, and they amount to thousands, to over 

take the hardened enemies of Great Britain and 

What America." The British ministry, neither ashamed 

tufexpe- nor satisfied with the diso^raceful expedient of hir- 

dients . . . . . 

Brftih^ ing Hessian soldiers of low principles, resorted also 
for7ein° ^o savagcs to aid in the subjection of a band of 
mems? '^half-starved and distressed rebels'* — their own 

kinsmen. 
What 40. Gen. St. Clair with about 3,000 men, had 

move- ^ ^ ' 

didst, charge of Fort Ticonderoga. Deeming this force 

make, iuadcqatc to maintain the post, not having provis- 

' ions for more than twenty days, he perceived no 

safety for the garrison, except in a hasty flight. 

Accordingly he let his camp-fires go out, struck his 

tents, and amid the " profound silence of the forest 

and the night," retreated. 

What is 41. He was soon discovered and as they ap- 

here- proachcd Skeensborough, the British pressed on in 

hot pursuit. After various conflicts and losses, 

the remnants of the divisions reached Fort Ed- 



July 



reat? 



ciiap. II. burgoyne's movemf.nts. 281 

wardj the head-quarters of Gen. Schuyler. In i'^^^ 
these combats, our men fought with desperate valor, 
and hundreds were left dead on the route. Stern 
necessity compelled this retreat. 

42. Burgoyne had with him some of the best v\rhat 
officers then in America ; Major-general PhiUps. we?r* 
Briffadier-ffeneral Frazer, Major-sreneral Reidesel, ^ur 

o o 7 J o 7 goyne? 

and others. From such generals and their hosts, 
Gen. Schuyler thought it prudent to retire along 
the Hudson to Saratoga. He, however, did every wa^^^ 
thing in his power to obstruct the progress of the s?huyier 
British. He felled trees across the roads, destroyed {[^*^'^J|^ 
the bridges, and in various ways greatly retarded bu""^^ 
their march. Burgoyne in pursuit, was obliged ^^^"^ 
to construct forty bridges, and his batteaux were 
diagged from creek to creek by oxen. Schuyler's 
army was enlarged by some militia under Gen. x^at 
Lincoln, and several detachments from the regular ^l^^f^; 
army accompanied by the Polish Gen. Thaddeus sifhuyier 
Kosciusko. His army v/as thus augmented to 
about 15,000 men. 

43. Burgoyne finding his supply of provisions 
greatly reduced, and being in want of horses to ^{^^^ 
mount his cavalry, formed a plan to draw resources |?|atiyit 
from the honest farmers of Vermont. For this "^^"^^ 
purpose he dispatched Col. Baum, a distinguished 
German officer, with 500 Hessians to seize some of 

the American stores of corn, cattle, &c., collected at 
Bennington. The instructions of Burgoyne are 
very curious, showing that the event of defeat 
never entered his mind. 

44. Col. Baum marched off with a commission in 
his pocket, to ^^ scour the country for horses, car- 



282 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. p^^^^ I,. 

17 7 7 riages, and cattle, and make prisoners of all oji- 

What ^^^^^j ^^^^^ ^^^d military, acting under Congress ; to 

were^ tao; the towns for whatever they wanted, and take 

Col. ^ hostages for the performance ; to bring all horses 

fit to mount the dragoons, loith as many saddles 

and bridles as could be found ; to bring at least 

1,300, the horses to be tied in strings of ten each in 

order, that one man 'may lead ten horsesP 

^^^^ 45. It was a providential 'circumstance, that 

dentiai CJen. Staik* was on his way to join Gen. Schuyler, 

?S?' with a reinforcement of 800 Green Mountain boys. 

occurred? . , i • t 

A heavy ram coming on, prevented an immedi- 
ate action ; several skirmishes took place with little 
loss on our side, but these were sufficient to alarm 
Why did Col. Baum, who immediately dispatched a messen- 
d^pSch ger to Burgoyne for a reinforcement. Fortunately 
sengerto its progrcss was' much delayed, owing to the state 
soyne? ofllie roads, after the heavy rain, and it did not ar- 

* Gen. Stark had been in the old French and Indian war, and was 
at Bunker Hill and Trenton. At the brilliant charge at Bennington, 
he animated his brave band by shouting, with uplifted sword, " M}' 
fellow-soldiers, we conquer to-day or Mary Stark sleeps a widow 
to-night." His character as a private citizen is unblemished, and 
no neglect or wrong could turn him from the path of duty. 
Although he had reason to feel aggrieved at the treatment he 
received from Congress, in having inferior and junior ofiicers 
appointed over him, he loved his country still, and fitted out his 
sons one after another for the field. Would that Arnold had 
possessed the virtues of this noble and incorruptible patriot. 
Amid all his perils through two long wars, and in many desper- 
ate battles, he never received a wound. He was the last sur- 
viving general of the Revolution, and died in 1822, at Man- 
chester. New Hampshire, in his 94th year. A simple stone 
upon which is inscribed Major-general Stark^ marks the soldier's 
resting place — t nt his memory is fresh in many hearts. 



Chap. II. BATTLE OF BENNINGTON 283 

rive until the Americans were victorious. A fu- ^-^^ 
rious battle was fought for more than two hours, \y^^^ 7"^ 
during Vi^hioh the Americans opposed, with singu- fhe'^ac^^ 
lar bravery^ a force nearly twice their number. 

46. Although the British were defended by breast- what is 

^ -^ farther 

works, they were stormed by the Americans, and l^^ ^l 
the troops finally obliged to surrender at discretion. ^^''"• 
The yells of the Indians when surrounded were ter- 
rific. The roar of the fire-arms resembled a prolonged 
thunder peal. Gen. Stark's troops had scattered in 
pursuit of plunder, when news arrived of the ap- 
proach of the reinforcement of 1,000 men. 

47. At this critical moment, a regiment under ^^^^^ 
Col. Warner arrived ; the other troops rallied, and evinl^Sf 
the w^hole were ordered to advance. They fought tiii 
until darkness came on, w^hen the enemy yielded a 
second time in one day to their Yankee conquerors. 
The whole number of killed, wounded, and prison- ^^^^^ 
ers, was 934. Col. Baum received a mortal wound io?| ^of 
of which he soon after died. Instead of bringing, tish?"' 

in pursuance to the orders of Bursroyne, a train of ., 

^ . , b J ? Did Bur- 

necessary things, on their return, the troops were fef^^^hls 
obhged to leave behind 1,000 stand of arms, 8 loads suppS 
of baggage, 4 brass field-pieces, and several horses, what 
The loss on our side w^as not more than 100. loss? 

48. The victory at Bennington greatly encour- 
aged the Americans, but as greatly mortified Bur- ^^^^ 
goyne. An affecting incident occurred on the field ^deSt 
at Bennington, which illustrates a point in the atS 
American character. An old man, whose five sons 
were engaged in the battle, was told that he had 
been unfortunate in one of his sons. With up- 
raised hands and trembling voice, he exclaimed, 



284 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Part 11 

j,y, " What has my boy done?" Then in rapid succes 
^ sion followed the anxious questions, " Has my boy 
misbehaved? has he deserted his post or shrunk 
from the charge ? " " No, no," replied the informant 
"but he is slain — he shrunk not from the hottest of 
the fire, but fell while nobly acting his part." " Ah !' 
exclaimed the good old man, raising his dimmed 
eyes, " my boy was honest — I am satisfied — bring in 
the corpse that I may once more embrace the dar- 
ling of my soul." 

49. AVilh his own hands, he washed the gore 
and dust from his gaping wounds, rejoicing that so 
brave and noble a youth had gone, as he trusted, 
where the wicked cease from troubling. Our single- 
did o^ur hearted ancestors dreaded dishonesty more than 
dS*^^^ death. Our prayer is, that their posterity will 
death? gi'^t^fi^lly remember their toils that we might be 

free, and, in God's strength, endeavor to imitate 
their integrity of purpose. 

50. While Burgoyne was moving up Lake 
^n°^'^^ Champlain to invest Ticonderoga, Col. St. Leger 
Fort was dispatched with about 2,000 Canadians and 

Schuy- ' ^ 

•®''- Indians, by w^ay of Oswego, against Fort Schuyler, 

wjjo situated on the site of the present village of Rome, 

mSded commanded by the brave Col. Gansevoort, with a 

Schuy- garrison of 700 almost as brave hearts as his own. 

ler, and <-' 

SinditSi They had but six weeks' provisions on hand, and a 
ga^isinl scanty supply of ammunition, and not even a flag 

to wave above the fort. 
What 51. St. Lester sent a message to these brave men 

message " . , 

bTsf"^ to surrender, threatening to give them over to the 
aniwhat brutalitics of the savages, should they refuse. They 
was answered boldly at the same time hoisting" a flag 

given! *^ » » 



Chap. II. BATTLE OF ORISKANY. 285 

which they had made themselves, little heeding ITTT 
the horrid yells of 1.000 Indians, who, daring the 
hve-long night, at intervals, made the dark forest 
around the fort echo with their hideous war whoop. 
In the mean time Gen. Herkimer, assured of the ^^^^^^"^ 
desperate condition of the garrison, determined to Sfve to 
march to their relief; he accordingly started, and 
on approaching the fort, he sent an express to what in 
Gansevoort, saying that he had reached the ene- f,\"J'®ent 
my's camp within 8 miles. vooru'®* 

52. As a signal that the express had reached 
him in safety, three cannon were to be fired, on 
hearing which Herkimer was to cut through the 
enemy's camp— while Gansevoort should assist him 
on the other side. Early the next morning, the 
signal awoke many of the soldiers to the march. 
Onward they passed in files of two deep, with an JJfe*^"''® 
advanced guard to open the way. Suddenly, on all SeJ-kf-"^ 
sides, sounded a terrific yell, as if his whole army tro6pl 
was surrounded, and in another moment the dark 
woods glittered with tomahawks, and the quick 
flash of rifles. 

53. An awful scene was then presented, which ^J^' 
almost bafl[les description — on both sides men fell place 
like the leaves of autumn, and the carnage and 
clamor were enough to appall the stoutest heart. In 
the midst of the battle, a tremendous thunder shower 
burst upon them, and the intervals of silence were 
said to be more awful than the loudest uproar. The 
contest was suspended for the time, and the " two 
armies seemed to have been suddenly turned to what is 

•^ said of 

stone." As the rain abated, the battle was resumed J^e ^^ 

' tack at 

with greater fury, and although for six hours this 



ter the 
rain ? 



86 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Part Tdi- 



!•: TT TOurderous work had been going on, Herkimer and 
his men, though weary and fainting, determined to 
press forward to the brave men at the fort. At last, 
amid the tumult, the Indian cry of flight, ^' Ooma/u. 
Oomah,^^ sounded joyfully in their ears, and with 
it they joined the glad shout of '^Victory^^^ sending 
a thrill through the wounded and dying. 
whaUs 54. This battle has been slightly noticed by his^' 
Ifei^^^' torians, but a more bloody one, considering the num- 
bers engaged, was never fought, and the Americans 
with all their disadvantages remained victorious. 
Many a soldier bled and died"" on the field of Oris- 
kany. We again turn to the graphic page of 
Headley for a notice, in passing, of the scene after 
the battle. 
What 55. There lay, he says, white man and savage, 
f^^/ near a thousand of them scattered around through 
til^of^*" the forest, part pale in death, others reclining on 
ny» their elbows, or sitting up against the trees, moan- 
ing piteously for water. The bright uniform of the 
ojfficer glittered beside the naked body of the In- 
dian ; and all around, thick as the leaves, were 
strewn shivered spears, broken muskets, and neg- 
lected swofds. Here lay a pile of fifty together, and 

* Gen. Herkimer was so severely wounded at the battle of 
Oriskany, that it was found necessary to amputate his leg. 
The story is, that owing to the two surgeons who performed 
the operation being intoxicated, it was badly done and he bled 
to death. His wife attempted to staunch the blood, but Herki- 
mer sav;- that soon its steady flow would stop the wheel at the 
fountain, and he bade her an affectionate farewell. After w^hich 
he called for a Bible, and read aloud the 38th Psalm, and then 
calmly resigned his soul into His hands, in whom he trusted 
for pardon. 



Cliap. II. 



PORT SCHUYLER. 2S7 



there a solitary v/arrior, stretched where the death i-j^-y 
shot had struck him. Two would be found side 
by side, with their bayonets in each other's bosom ; 
and near by a " white man and an Indian born on 
the banks of the Mohawk, their left hands clenched 
n each other's hair, the right grasping in a grasp 
of death the knife plunged in each other's bosom ;" 
thus they lay frowning. Days after the battle the 
bodies still lay unburied, many of them torn to 
pieces by wild beasts. 

56. The Americans, though victors, had suffered 
too severely to think of cutting their way to the 
fort and retreated. 

The fate of Fort Schuyler seemed now despe- J,^^^^^^ 
rate. The reinforcement sent to its relief com- ea^,^rison 
pelled to retreat — the garrison surrounded by foes schuy- 
— a scanty supply of provisions — ^^all threatened 
death by sword or hunger. 

Two Americans taken prisoners at Oriskany, coum ''''' 
were compelled to write to Gansevoort an exagge- Trfby'" 
rated account of the numbers of the British, stating- Ameri 

' C3 can pns 

that Burgoyne had reached Albany, and that far- {^1 E.?t- 

ther resistance would prove their ruin. Gansevoort *'^' 

told the officer who bore this letter, that he would ^id Gan- 
sevoort 

only surrender at the cannon'' s mouth. '^^p^J- 

57. The officer then repeated the threat that the ^^^.^^ 
Indians would be let loose on the defenseless settle- wif* 
ments if he persisted ; when Gansevoort, looking theoffi 
him full in the face, and throwing all the sarcasm 

he was master of into his tone , said, " After you get ^ansl^'*^ 
2it of this fort^ you may turn round and look at 
its outside; hut never expect to come in again, 
unless you come a prisoner. I consider the mes- 



voort 
say? 



288 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Part II , 



tit 7 sage you have brought a degrading one for a 
British officer to send, and by no means a reputa- 
ble one for a British officer to carry. For my own 
part^ before I would consent to deliver this garri- 
son to such a murderous set as your army, by 
your own account, consists of, I woidd suffer my 
body to be filled with splinters and set on fire, as 
you know has, at 7nany times, been practised by 
such hordes of iDOTnen-and-children-killers as be- 
long to your armyP 

58. St. Leger, finding all attempts to terrify thein 
into a surrender fail, prepared to sap the fort. 
Finally, Gansevoort, finding St. Leger within 150 
yards of the fort, into which he constantly threw 
shells, determined, at midnight, to cut his v/ay 
sword in hand through the enemy's camp. A pro- 
tecting Providence, which has all hearts in its hands, 
was moving some brave ones in behalf of this gar- 
whatis I'ison. The noble-hearted Schuyler, then at Alba- 
s^chuy- ny, heard with much emotion of the defeat of Her- 

.er? "^ ' 

kimer, and trembled for the fate of the garrison, 

^j^^^^^ unless relieved speedily. To all his entreaties to 

ma(k to send troops thither, he was answered, that as Bur- 

jecSons? goyne was now moving rapidly down the river, it 

would be unsafe to send any of their forces away. 

Schuyler entreated, and still the same answer was 

given ; when, in his agitation, turning fiercely 

round, and crumbling his pipe in his mouth as his 

teeth angrily closed on it, he exclaimed to the 

whatdid council of officers, " Gentlemen, I shall take the 

finally responsibility on myself ; where is the brigadier 

that will command them 7 I shall beat up for 

volunteers .'" 



Cliap. II. FORT SCHUYLER RELIEVED. 289 

59. Arnold, still a friend to America, sprung to i-x-j^-x 
his feet, and with his usual promptitude, offered to ^^^ ^^ 
lead the expedition. 800 men were found ready com"? ^^ 
to start at the beat of the drum. Away they theex- 
marched, with the greatest alacrity. Fearing, how- 
ever, the same fate which befell Herkimer's men 
might be theirs, he had recourse to a stratagem, be- 
fore attempting to fight his way through. 

60. A spy, by the name of Cuyler, who had been ^o^^h^^^ 
taken, was brought before Arnold, and promised f^^i^^^ 
pardon on condition he would give such an exag- '^^^'^"'''^' 
gerated account of the American forces as to ter- 
rify the Indians into a retreat. Life was precious 

to the spy — he accepted the proposal, and the stra- 
tagem succeeded. To the utter surprise of Gan- 
sevoort, who knew nothing of the affair, the Indi- ^eltrlt 
ans and English, on the morning of the 23d of sScSed, 
August, were seen m sudden flight, leaving their ^^^1,^'^;. 
baggage and artillery. The stratagem of Arnold '^"''^'^• 
had the desired effect, and in a short time he was 
heard in the distance, at the head of his noble sol- 
diers, making the woods ring with their joyful 
cheers, which were heartily answered by the re- 
lieved garrison at Fort Schuyler. 

61. Burffoyne was confounded when the reports „ 

o ./ r How waa 

of the battle of Bennington and the failure of St. goy^eaf- 
Leger, one after the other, came in, and was seri- w?th the 

I • /• r ' news of 

ously perplexed as to his future course of action, ^^^l^,^^' 
The overthrow of these forces was the first in a 
grand series of events that finally involved in ruin 
the whole royal army. Burgoyne was in a wilder- ^r^..^ j^ 
ness, surrounded witli enemies, greatly in want of Bilr- '* 
provisions ; and placin;? liule confidence in Ills In- siamtiom 

13 



290 



REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Part IL 



ivrr di^^n allies, he felt that he must soon either conquer 
or surrender. He accordingl}^ collected his artil- 
lery and scanty store of provision-s, and made a 
desperate effort to advance, and cut his way through 
to join Clinton. After constructing a bridge of 

Where boats, lie passed his army over the Hudson, and on 

mes^en- ^^^ ^4,t^ of Sept. eucampcd on the plains of Saratoga. 

camped? Q2, The American army was about four miles 
distant, and daily receiving reinforcements. The 
excesses of Burgoyne's army had roused the inhab- 
itants to a full sense of their wrongs. With one 
accord they seemed to pour from every valley, ham- 

tia/lent let, and hill-slope, to protect their fire-sides. The 

athrillof ' r J r 

tK'-h ^^1'^^^* of Miss Jane McCrea* by some Indians in 
**^^^^"^^- Burgoyne's advance party, sent a thrill of horror 
through the land, and was one of a hundred in- 
ducements for every father and brother to rush to 
the conflict. 

63. Schuyler's army, from a few disheartened 
soldiers, increased rapidly, and his heart beat with 
deUght at the thought of a glorious victory. Just 
at this long wished for moment, news came which, 

* During the halt of the British at Fort Edward, an incident 
occurred which greatly increased the odium justly cast on the 
British ministry, because of their barbarous order for Burgoyne 
to form an alliance with the ferocious savages of the wilder- 
ness. A young lady named McCrea, represented as beautiful 
and accomplished, the daughter of an American loyalist, was, 
just previous to the war, aifianced to a young English officer 
named Jones. Jones dispatched a party of Indians with a letter 
and a horse, to bring his intended bride in safety to the camp. 
On the way, two of the principal savages disputed about which 
should present her to her lover, when one of them killed her with 
his tomahawk, to prevent the other from receiving the promised 
reward of a barrel of ruia. — Losstng. 



Cliap. II. GENERAL ARNOLD. 291 

had he been less noble and firnij would have caused 177 ^ 
him to retaliate at the offered insult. After having 
gone through Avith untold drudgery, and shrunk 
from no hardship, endured complaints and angry 
speeches wUhout retorts, he received a cold mes- ^hat 
sage from Congress, that he was to be superseded ^f^^°^ 
by Gates. His noble heart keenly felt the indig* f.^cdve 
nity — but for the example of youth we would no- gress? 
tice his conduct, as one of the noblest triumphs of 
patriotism and virtue over envy and iealousy. We he^^re-" 
shall soon have occasion to notice him as a mag- i^^uit? 
nanimous man. 

64. Arnold, also, was treated with the same in- how did 
dignity, but the same god-like principle was not Jj^^ve 
the ruling action of his life. Arnold was proud, li-elt- 
and could not bear to be humbled — he waa ambi- °*^" 
tious, panted for more fame, and could not for- 
give an insult. It was an outrageous insult on the 

part of Congress, when junior officers were pro- 
moted over persons so popular as Arnold, Stark, 
and Schuyler. We find no excuse for Arnold's 
subsequent conduct, but agree with the board of wash^^^ 
war, to whom he appealed, that he was '^cruelly think on 
and groundlessly aspersed ;" and with Washington, ^^^• 
that both he and Schuyler, with St. Clair and 
Stark, received repeated and bitter insults after all 
the acts of self-denial they had freely performed. 

65. Although many were dissatisfied, at the 
time, with the manner in which the northern posts 
had been given up, the peculiar and trying circum- 
stances under which our army was placed, rendered 
it imprudent to act otherwise. They were tried by 
a court-martial, and acquitted with the highest 



292 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Part II. 



ity-y honor. We can now see an overruling Providence, 
flow can that orders even afflictive dispensations for the ben- 
the hTnd efit of those who trust in God. Buro:oyne was led, 

of Provi- , . . /^ 1 , , ' 

^ence in under perplexing circumstancesj farther and farther 
events? j^^^^ ^^i^ heart of the country, and suddenly, con- 
trary to all his expectations, found himself siir- 
Did Bur- rounded by the enemy, he had regarded as van- 
choose to quished. To retreat, he must abandon his expe- 

retreator * r n r 

advance? ditiou — to advance, seemed full of danger ; but still 
he proudly chose the latter. 

66. On the 17th of September, his army came 
nearly in contact with the Americans, when some 
skirmishing took place. About noon on the 19th, 

What ,our army advanced and offered battle. Burofoyne 

British -^ ^ "^ 

?N^rT' ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ head of his army, and Generals Phil- 
7iy^eT lips, Reidesel, and Frazer, were actively engaged. 
Gates liad under him the intrepid Arnold, and his 
/.meii- brave companions, Morgan and Dearborn. The 
"^"(l^ battle opened furiously, as if both hosts were deter- 
Gates' jj^iQed iQ conquer or die. 

67. The firing continued in one incessant roar 
What is and blaze for three hours, covering the field with 
thecoa- wounded and dying*. It was an obstinate and un- 

yielding contest. At one time the British were 
overpowered, but being reinforced, the Americans 
were repulsed. The same ground was occupied 
successively, and the blood of both armies mingled 
in the death struggle. The victory was claimed 
by the British, but the advantages v/ere decidedly 
on the part of the Americans. They were the 
assailants, they held their ground through the day, 
bsson' ^^^^ retired without being pursued, having lost 
S? only 64 killed, and 255 prisoners and wounded. 



tast? 



What 



CHap. II. GATES AND ARNOLD. 293 

The British lost 60( in killed, wounded, and 17^7 
prisoners. 

68. The royal army lay all night on their arms ^^^t 
on the battle field, strewed with the slain — while ry^^thJ** 
the soldiers in search of spoils stripped, indiscrimi- of the 

A L r y royal ar- 

nately^ the bodies of the gay uniform of the Eng- "^^^ 
Jish, or the plainer blue garb of the American. 
Both parties lay within sound of each other's voices 
for 16 days, and considerable skirmishing took why did 
place, resulting from the attempts of the British to goyne 
forage. Burgoyne looked with the utmost anxiety ^JJIfe a 
for aid from Sir Henry Clinton, from New York, rStelf- 
but finding starvation staring his army in the face, fofcohis 
he determined to make a desperate effort to force through 
his v/ay through the American lines. 

69. During this interval, a dissatisfaction arose ^v^y^-ag 
Detween Gates and Arnold, because Gates* refused ^iSalfs- 
o give Arnold even a tenth part of the praise due Gatesi 

to him for his undaunted braverv at Stillwater. 
Gates was envious, because the whole army gave 
Arnold and his division the credit of the battle of 
the 19th, and falsely represented the affair to Con- 
gress in his ofl[icial report. To crown the injustice 
of Gates, he took away Arnold's division from him 
and gave it to CoL Lincoln ; so that now, on the 
eve of another battle, one of the bravest ofllcers in 
the American army was without a command. His Hl^^^J^ 
nature was too proud to bear this — he had never ^■^'^^^ 
learned in childhood to brook an insult. How 
many hours of bitterness would have been spared 
Arnold, had he felt the beauty of the Saviour's ex- 
ample of humility and patience under insults. 

70. When the roar of the cannonade of the 7th 



294 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. pj^^i 11. 

17TT <^f October reached his ears, while sitting in his 
What is ^^^^^j he could no longer restrain his maddened 
Arnold's fcelings. He would enter the battle, and, for aught 
oHhe ' we know, he wished it micfht be his last. His con- 

7th of • " 

October? j^(.t ^yr^g frightfully daring, as, mounted on a beau- 
tiful horse, named Warren, after the hero of Bun- 
ker Hill, he rushed madly in the hottest of the fire, 
while his shout was heard above the horrid din of 
conflicting armies. Regardless of danger, he rode 
at one time from one extremity of the line to the 
other, exposed to the cross fire of the armies, fol- 
lowed by the loud huzzas of admiring troops. 
71. Gates, fearing lest this impetuous horseman 

«\^hat should, by winning this battle, eclipse his own 

wa^Lnt J^^i^^^j ^^ ^his perilous moment, dispatched Col. 

tJ A?-^^' Armstrong after him, with a command to retire 
from the field.* The beloved general of the army, 
now without a command, was obeyed in an in- 
stant ; and groups of veterans, who had followed 
him in many a toilsome march, crowded around 
him, eager for orders. 

Who did 72. Pointino^ to the camp surrounded with a 

Arnold ^ ^ 

recog- ^vall of armed men and cannon, he shouted to them 

nv/jpi on ' 

aeiSdi as his quick eye recognized the scarred faces of his 
old comrades. " You will not fail me now — on to 
the fortress, my .brave soldiers, you and yoic, on 
again — you know me well.-' The black horse is 
urged forward amid the fierce blaze of a thousand 
tb?at-^ guns, to the very sally port of the enemy. This 
^^ ^" position must be won, or the American cause was 

:amp ? . 



* During the battle of Saratoga, Gen. Gates was quietly sit- 
ting in his room, conversing with a British officer. He fought 
both these battles like a Em'opean gentleman — in his camp. 



Cliap. II, BURGOYNe's SURRENDER. 205 

dishonored. So shouted Arnold at the sally port. j^tT 
As the piteous screams of " quarter, quarter^'' 
reached the ears of the Americans, the gallant 
charger which had borne the victorious general 
through scenes of blood and fire, fell pierced by 
many balls, and Arnold lay wounded and bleeding, 
shouting, " Thebattle is ourSj Saratoga is wony 

73. This was Arnold's last battle for his still 
beloved country, and yel no tidings of his bravery, 
or of Morgan's came to Congress from the envious 
Gates. Arnold was carried bleeding from the field 
amid the deafening shouts of '• Victory^ victoryP 
The British lost several valuable officers, amoncr whai 

■ o was the 

whom none was more lamented than Gen. Frazer. fe°" 
Their entire loss was over 400 men ; that of the'"^^ 
xlmericans about 80. 

74. The British camp was evacuated durins; the 

. , , ^ ? Why .Jifl 

niofht, and soon alter an attempt was made to ""^ b.u- 
retreat to Fort Edward, but intelHgence was foJ.\^ Ed- 
brought that this foit was already in possession of 
the Americans, and every avenue of retreat was 
blockaded by the enemy. Still Burgoyne was too 
proud to submit to his fate, and yield all his bright 
visions of future fame and ^lory at once. He resisted 

° -^ What 

until the last moment, as hope after hope proved ''j^',^^"''' 
vain, until w^orn out and weary he agreed, after ob& 
much consultation, upon an honorable surrender oi 
the relics of his once splendid army of 10,000 men. 

75. It was stipulated, that on the 17th they were ^vhat 
to march out of their camp with the honors of war ten4 uf 
to the place assigned, where their arms and artillery fier; 
were to be piled at the command of tlieir own offi- 
cers. That a passage should be allowed them to 



296 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Fan. II. 

iT-7^ Great Britain on condition of their not serving 
What again during the vi^ar. The trophies obtained by 
were'ot this great capitulation were, officers and soldiers, 
this 5,791. The train of brass artillery and other ord- 

great ca- '^ ■^ 

^^f^^' nance was of immense value, consisting of 42 pieces 
of cannon, besides 7,000 muskets, with six thousand 
dozen cartridges, avast supply of shot, shells, &c., 
a great number of tents and military stores, with 
clothing for 7,000 men. 

How 76. Every possible courtesy was shown to the 

were the , ^^ r J 

troops^"* officers, and our soldiers were not allowed to wit- 
ness the surrender. We here see one of the most 
unexpected reverses of fortune, as ordained by divine 
Providence. The proud, presuming foe, the haughty 
commander, who threatened to lay waste our cities 

What is and expose our helpless women to the merciless 

here said ^ ^ ^ ^ 

gin^i Hessian and savage — who said his army should not 

retreat — was at last obliged to sue for terms of sur- 

render to the very people whom he had treated with 

sovereign contempt. With the long and loud huz- 

wi^* za of victory from an oppressed people, arose an- 

withthe other cry over the land, of praise to Him who limits 

loudhuz- -^ ^ A 

Sr?^?"^^^' the extent of human power, and decrees in wisdom 
the destinies of nations. 

77 The testimony of several English writers is 
given to the magnanimity with which such foes as 
Burgoyne and his army had been treated. The 
eaid of magnanimous Gen. Schuyler, notwithstanding Bur- 
^e^^^' S^y^^ h^d ^^ wantonness ordered his splendid 
S of country-seat near Saratoga to be destroj^ed, opened 
oyne? the old family town- man siou to the captive officers. 
Burgoyne learned a lesson on the beauty of forgive- 
ness, and could not forbear saying to Gen. vSchuyler, 



Chap. II. FORTS MONTGOMERY AND CLINTON. 297 

"You show me great kindness, sir. though I have itti 
done you much injury." To which the noble- 
heaited man replied, ^' That tvas the fate of war, 
think 710 more of itP 

78. It is worthy of note, that at the very time what is 
that BurtToyne was receivinsr ti:e most honorable worW 

° •' ■ . . of note J 

and generous terms for himself and his army, 
acts of the most wanton barbarism were committed 
by the army of Clinton, on the North river. Clin- 
ton, on the 5th of October, while Burgoyne was JJ'o^l 
anxiously looking for aid previously to the last bat- S'ciia- 
tie of Saratoga, and only ten days before his sur- made? 
render, had moved from New York, and under con- 
voy of some ships of war, sailed up the river about 
forty-j&ve miles, landing at Verplanck's Point. 

79. This was done as a feint to deceive Putnam, whywas 
stationed at Peekskill, who, supposing it to be Clin- <^onei 
ton's intention to push on northward to Burgoyne, 
drew away as many troops as could be spared from 
Forts Montgomery and Clinton, to oppose his pro- 
ofress. The feint succeeded, and immediately Clin- what dia 
ton, taking advantage oi then* weakened state d^ontho 

^ o <^ 7 success 

marched two thousand of his men over the rugged move^-'^ 
range of the Dunderberg, and completely surprised ""^"^^ 
both garrisons at once. They fought desperately, 
but at last were overpowered, and the forts fell into 
the hands of the British. 

80. Part of the garrison escaped in the darkness what 
of niffht, but about 250 men were left, including: of^'thf 

^ ' / o garrison I 

the killed and wounded. Gen. Putnam, having 
only a few men to guard some stores, was obliged 
to retire as the enemy approached — destroying 



13^ 



298 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Part II. 

ITTT every thing in their route of cruelty and devasta- 
What tion. Gen. Vaughan, as if to consummate their 
barba^r- barbarity, destroyed tlie beautiful town of Esopus, 

ism were . , r 7 

ted"S^^" ^^^^ sparing the church or any other building. The 
vaS;?h. situation of Gen. Gates was now perilous in the ex- 
treme ; for, with Burgoyne on one side, and Vaughan 
and Clinton within a few hours' march and sail, 
he felt that what was "to be done 'twere well that 
it were quickly done." 
^jj^j 81. Here, too, another providential incident oc- 
denliai currcd. A spy, dispatched to Burgoyne, was 
occurred takcu, who, finding himself in danger of detection, 
time? ^^^^ observed to swallow something taken hastily 
from his pocket. An emetic was administered, 
which, although it proved fatal to the spy, was con- 
sidered a lucky escape for the Americans. A silver 
bullet was thrown up, which, being unscrewed, 
was found to inclose a letter from Sir H. Clinton 
to Burgoyne, dated Fort Montgomery, October 8, 
commencing, " Nous voici — and nothing between 
us but Gates^^'' &c., &c. 
Relate ^^* ^^ another instance, a man was seized in 
courJt*^of Gen. Putnam's camp, under suspicious circum- 
foSndm stances, and on trial, was found to be in the British 

Put- ' ' 

"^^y service. Gov. Tryon addressed a letter to Gen. 
Putnam, reclaiming the spy as a British officer, and 
threatening vengeance in case he should be exe- 
cuted. This drew from the witty Putnam the fol- 
lowing characteristic reply : 

" Sir : Nathan Palmer, a lieutenant in your king's 
service, was taken in my camp as a spy — he was 



Chap. II. CAMP AT VALLEY FORGE. 299 

condemned as a spy — and you may rest assured, itt7 
sir, that he shall be hanged as a spy. 

^- 1 have the honor to be, &c., 

"Israel Putnam." 
To his Excellency, Gov. Tryon. 
" P. S. Afternoon.— ^He is hangedP 

83. Immediately after the surrender of Burgoyne, 
Gen. Gates dispatched a body of troops to the relief 

of Putnam, on which Gen. Clinton ordered the im- cimton 
mediate return of his troops to NeAV York, having New^ 
by fire and sword completely desolated the country, 
and spread ruin and death in many a peaceful 
family. About the same time, the British troops 
retired to Canada, and the northern department 
was once more restored to tranquillity. 

84. We have already ffiven a statement of our 

1 1 11 .11 I . What is 

army at the south, and have sighed over then* re- said of 
verses. They were men equally brave and true, a?m?r" 
but enfeebled by the detachments Washington 
generousl}^ sent to Gates. We left them in their 
huts at Valley Forge, and alluded to their deep 
necessities. No lano^ua^e can depict the suf- our^army 

° ® ^ at Valley 

ferings of our ancestors at Valley Forge. Night ^"'^^e' 
after night, they sat shivering, nearly naked and 
starving, around their fires. Famine stared them 
in the face, and disease disabled hundreds of their 
number. During the day, amid sleet and snow, 
they performed the duty of pack-horses, and carried 
heavy loads of fuel on their naked shoulders, or 
yoked themselves together before rude vehicles of 
their own construction, drawing logs, while the 
snow was stained with the bloody tracks of their 



3U0 REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 



Part II. 



17 7 7 bare feet. When the night came on. their weary 
limbs ached for repose — the bleak and frozen 
hill-side was the only lesting-place for hundreds; 
and as the cold increased, they dared not lie down, 
but slept, sitting in groups around the fires. 

85. Washington's heart was often wrung with 
anguish, and he devised every means in his power 
to alleviate their sufferings. But even at this 
time of struggling and adversity, when his soul 
was rent with emotions of s^rief for their suf 

What ^ . . ^ . . , 

party, lermgs, a party arose m congress, in concert with 

gres's at General Conway and others, endeavoring to re- 

ume? move the chief command from the beloved of the 

people, the only man who could keep a mutinous, 

naked, sick, and starving army together — the man 

selected by the God of the oppressed to break the 

chafns of bondage. 

Who 86. The candidates named to supersede Wash- 

candi^ ^ ington were Gens. Mifflin, Lee, Gates, and Conway. 

named to Gcn. Gatcs sccmcd to be the favorite candidate, and 

super- ^ 

wish- there is every reason to suppose that he did all he 
mgton? ^g^j,gj^ j^ undermining the fair character of Wash- 
ington. But Washington came out of the fire of 
persecution like tried gold. The evil deeds of his 
enemies fell on their own heads. 
What is 87. Gen. Conway was afterward challenged by 
jon-iay? Gcu. Cadwalladcr for some vile speeches against 
Washington, and received a wound which he sup- 
posed to be mortal. He afterward trembled at the 
remembrance of his treatment of Washington, and 
confessed that he had slandered him. In all his 
pain, and at the honest hour of death, as he sup- 
posed he wrote a letter to Washington, saying, 



Chap. II. BARON STEUBEN. 301 

among other expressions of sorrow for what he had I'^^j 
done, " You areHn my eyes the great and good 
manP Truly he was a great and good man. ^^^1 
Though his heart recoiled at such base insinuations msh- 
and slanders, he chose to suffer contumely in ffod- coW^ct 

' -^ C3 under m 

like silence, feeling that God had all hearts in his J'^'^^^^" 
hands, and could make even such enemies to be at 
peace with him. Besides, for his country's sake he 
was silent, for he knew that a public defense would 
expose many facts which an exulting enemy should 
not know. 

88. On the 15th of November, 1777, a plan of what is 
confederation for the States was adopted, which, the plan 
however, amounted to little more than a friendly [edem- 
league, and served to unite the colonies more closely 

in their common cause. The plan was proposed 
in the summer of 1775, by Benjamin Franklin, but 
obstacles to its execution arose, which could not 
easily be surmounted until the close of 1777. 

89. In December of this year, Baron Steuben, ,,,^ . . 

J ' ' What 19 

relying on the promises of the French Court for ^^^ °^ 
remuneration, arrived in this country, and was re- sSem 
ceived by Congress with every mark of distinction. 
He was a man highly respected in Europe, had 
been aid-de-camp to the renowned Frederick, king 
of Prussia, and was singularly fitted by his previous 
life to aid and instruct our undisciplined army. 
Thus the same Providence that raised a leader 
eminently qualified for his work, gave us also friends 
to plead our cause among the princes of the earth. 
The noble foreigner hastened to Valley Forge, and 
, forthwith commenced an active system of discipline 
which conduced greatly to our future good success. 



302 KEVOLUTTONARY WAR. Part II. 

11T8 

CHAPTER III. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1778. 

whaUs 1. In the spring of 1778, the French frigate, " La 
tyo/alii' Sensible," arrived with the intelligence of thenego- 
w'ith the tiation of a treaty of alliance between France and 
America. It was formed on the basis of perfect 
reciprocity of interest. In it Louis XVI. guaran- 
tied om* commerce and independence. Intelli- 
gence was brought that other European powers 
were favorably inclined to the Republican cause. 
^oclL Washington issued a proclamation from head- 
wasTs" quarters at Valley Forge, appointing a day of pub- 
valiey Hc thankso^ivitiff to the Almio^hty Ruler of the uni- 

Forge? . . . 

verse, for having so propitiously defended the cause 
of the American United States. 
Why did 2. When the Ensrlish Ministry were informed ol 

the Eng- .,.,,. , , 

ntch'^" this treaty, they unmediately dispatched commis- 
sfoTrsto sioners to America, to attempt a reconciUation ; but 
^^^^^^ their offers now could not be accepted : once, the 
How colonists had humbly petitioned as just and loyal 
fefi'^re- subjects for the very favors now offered, but were 
ceived? gpi^i-j^g^j fi'QiYi the throne, and their petitions treat- 
ed with the utmost contempt. 
What is 3. After the country had been deluged with the 
or tj 3 blood of its inhabitants, and after innumerable acts 

Amd - ' 

^""^ of violence and tyranny, the British meanly offered 
to give them what they asked for in humble terms. 
No, they said with one voice. Independence now, 
and Independence forever. Never would they return 



ry is here 
men- 
tioned ? 



Cliap.III. ENGLAND HUMBLED. 303 

to the mother country. They were firm in thi? i^tq 
resolve to the last. They had pledged their lives, 
their fortunes, and their sacred honors, to the cause 
of American independence. 

4. They felt the justice of their cause, and had i„ what 
n strong confidence in the overruling providence altrpn/ 
of God, and though deficient in many things neces- ^^cnce? 
sary to carry on the war, and apparently incompe- 
tent for the contest, they determined to press on- 
v^ard. Assailed by offers of gold, by threats, still 
they were firm. One of the generals in the army, 
when tempted by one of the commissioners with whatm- 

'■ •' stance of 

the offer of £10,000 sterling, and any office in |fgX^. 
his Majesty's gift, to use his influence in uniting men 
the colonies to Great Britain, replied, " / am not 
worth purchasing ; but such as I am, the King 
of Great Britain is not rich e?iough to buy meP 

5. The pride of the British nation had been 'v\^hat 
greatly humbled by the defeat of their favorite gen- thought 
eral, and the ministry received the loudest censures \^ o^ 
from the party which had opposed the war. They fSfren-'* 
had little anticipated the ignominious result of 
Burgoyne's campaign, and were not prepared to act 

in view of such an event. They had now been 
foiled in their attempt at negotiation and bribery, 
and were at a loss what new method to adopt. 

6. The ratification of the treaty of alliance ^w-^,.al 
warned them that French soldiers would soon join phif '^^^' 

evacu* 

hieartand hand with Americans. Deeming Phila- atea? 
delphia a disadvantageous position, being^ too far 
from the sea, and liable to be blockaded, the minis- 
try transmitted orders that it should be evacuated 
and the royal troops concentrated at New York. 



304 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. p^^t !!• 

17.^8 As Gen. Howe had resigned, Sir Henry Clinton 
Who ^^^^^ appointed commander-in-chief, and on him 
ITg^u. devolved the execution of these orders. 

7. He immediately set about the movement in 
the most secret manner, but it was discovered by 

Why was 

La^iy- the little band at Valley Forge. Washington im- 
edf'and mediately dlspatchcd Lafavetto witli 2,000 men to 
did^hr watch the enemy, and guard the country against 

EO 1 * 

their marauding parties. He crossed the Schuylkill 
and took post on Barren Hill, mid-way between 
Valley Forge and Philadelphia, being about nine 
miles from either place. 
^^^^^^ 8. A spy brought information of his movement 
was^done ^q giy Hcury Glintou. He immediately sent out 
cunton a superior force against Lafayette to surprise him, 
i^nfon!? ^^^ '^y cutting off his retreat, oblige him to sur- 
&%y?"^ render. Through the negligence or perfidy of 
one of Lafayette's piquet guard, he was nearly 
Lafay-^^ surrouudcd at night. At sun-rise the next morn- 
sition. ing a spectacle, which was sufficient to appall an 
older heart than Lafayette's, met his gaze. Be- 
tween him and the SchuylkilUay the British troops 
strongly guarding one of the fords of that river, 
while a large number were so detached as to de- 
scend upon him, when he should attempt to move 
for the remaining passage. 
What did 9. At the same moment, Washington from his 
jj^^tonio camp discovered the approach of the enemy, and 
±r-d^-^ ordered the whole army to be in readiness to march 
?hrene^-^ to the relief of the detachment, if necessary. With 
his officers he mounted a hill, and with the utmost 
anxiety gazed through his glass, toward the 
Schuylkill. 



rUap. III. 



BARREN HILL. 305 



10. Cool and collected, Lafayette hesitated not 177^ 
a moment. He dared not attack so large a body, 

but he would not surrender. He had recourse to a ^o whaf 
manoeuvre which gave him great credit. Forming ^r^d* 
his little band partly in heads of columns which 3tte re- 

^ "^ ^ ^ soil? 

only extended beyond the woods, the British were 
ltd to suppose that the whole army was advancing 
against them and halted to give battle. In the 
mean time, beneath the very hill on which the fh^^^ 
British were posted, Lafayette was silently passing 
on his way, when at last, to the utter surprise of the 
enemy, the heads of the columns retreated with 
speed and the v/hole detachment reached Valley 
Forge, losing only nine men. Washington em- 
braced his youthful friend, while the army from 
their gloomy huts received him with joyful shouts. 
The retreat at Barren Hill has always been re- 
garded as a most skilful achievement. 

11. The number of troops at Valley Forge in ^^^^[^^ 
May of this year, was about eleven thousand, and of^the'^ 
the whole American force then in the field did not can 

force. I 

exceed fifteen thousand men. The British army 
in Philadelphia and New York amounted to thirty 
thousand, of which nineteen thousand were in the the bW 
former place. Besides these there were nearly 4,000 *''"' 
at Rhode Island. 

12. On the 18th of June the English troops what 

^ *■ move- 

evacuated Philadelphia, ana crossed mto New Jer- ^^^ 

sey, whither Washington speedily followed them. Se'^ilth* 

The country seemed filled with red-coated soldiers, *^ 

and the baggage train alone covered twelve miles took^ ^^ 

of road. On the 28th of June the two armies were ^^^lii 

warmly engaged at Monmouth, sixty-four miles ^thf^ 



306 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Part II. 



tYTS from Philadelphia. The action was conducted with 
great skill on both sides, but although favorable to 
the Americans, was not a decided victory. 
From 13. This battle was fought on the Sabbath day, 

the^soi-' and a fearful one it v/as. All day long they fought 
l^eaUy on the plains of Monmouth, the sun pouring down 
rays of intense heat, the thermometer being ninety- 
six degrees. Many of the soldiers died of th@ heat, 
and the cry for water was more awful than the 
moans of the wounded. An unfortunate retreat 
permitted by General Lee,* nearly deranged the 
plan of operation, and but for the singular bravery 
of Gen. Washington, who commanded the troops 
m person, the battle would have been lost, 
whaiis 14. When word came to Washington, that Lee 
Son' ^^^^ ^1^ f^^^ retreat, the expression of his usually pla- 
fo?med"* cid face is said to have been dreadful — with a 
retreat? burst of iudiguatiou, he sprang on his horse, and 
the cloud of dust alone told of his route. " Long live 
whatdid WcisJ^i^gion f the troops shouted as he galloped 
mand of furiously ou until reining up in Lee's presence, he 
demanded of him in tones of severity, whence 
arose the disorder and confusion. 
How did 15. Rebuke from Washington was terrible to 



I-ee re- 



b 



?ebuke^^ au^ oue, but galling in the extreme to Lee. Not a 
moment was to be lost. Commands were given in 
quick succession * and promptly obeyed. Order 
once more was restored, when Washington again 

^SsfdTd rode up to Lee and in token of his foreriveness, ex- 

Wash- . . . 

ington claimed, " Will yon^ sir, command in that place ?^^ 

* Major-geneial Lee, who was captured in 177G, was ex- 
changed in May, 1778, for Major-general Prescott, who was 
taken at Rhode Island bv Col. Barton. 



CHap. III. BATTLE OF MONMOUTH. 307 

pointing to the front, exposed to the galling fire of it 79 
the British. He sullenly replied, " Ye5." ^^ I ex- 
feet you to check the enemy miniediately,^^ *' Your ^v^^at 
orders^^^ replied Lee, stung with mortification, Ks re 

ply '^ 

" shall be obeyed ; I shall not be the first to leave 
thefieldP'' 

16. A deadly fire was poured on them, and nobly what is 
they stood their ground. Hamilton was exposed to Hamii- 
the hottest of the fire, and fearing lest Lee might 
again shrink under the heavy onset, exclaimed, 
^^ I will stay with you — I will die with you — let us 
all die rather than retreat." Wayne, too, showed 

What 

distinjTuished valor on this fearful day. The bat- other of- 

^ -^ ficers 

teries of Knox and Stirling were like sheets of dS^"* 



uished 



flame, and every thing betokened the energy with 6rave?y 
which the battle was fought. Night only put an 

* Lee, incapable of brooking even an implied indignity, ad- 
dressed two letters to the Commander-in-chief, couched in dis- 
respectful language, and with an air of defiance solicited a trial 
for his conduct. He was immediately put under arrest, charged 
with disobedience of orders, misbehavior before the enemy, and 
disrespect to the Commander-in-chief. He was found guilty 
of all the charges, and was sentenced to suspension from any 
command in the American army for one year. From this mo- 
ment his attacks on the character of Washington were more 
virulent and open, and his language at all times scurrilous and 
profane. He lived a wretched life, secluded from society, in a 
hovel without glass windows or plastering, until the autumn of 
1782, when he took lodgings in a common tavern in Philadel- 
phia. He was soon seized with a violent disease, which speed- 
ily terminated his life, Oct. 2, 1782. He was an infidel in prin- 
ciple, and hostile to every attribute of the Deity. In his will he 
requested not to be buried in any church or church-yard, or 
within a mile of any Presbyterian or Anabaptist meeting-house. 
What a contrast between such a death-bed scene and that («f a 
Chn.^aan. 



308 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Part II. 

ITT 8 ^^d ^^ ^^^ incessant firing, and as the thunder of 
~~" the guns died away, both armies, exhausted under 
^nd To the burning sun, lay down upon the ground. 
the bat- ^^ rj,^^ stiUness of that awful Sabbath even 
ing was broken by piteous cries for w^ater, and 
the 2:roans of the dying. The wearied Americans 

"What ^ »/ o 

place sl^P^ soundly, for at the dawn of day they perceived 

the""^ that the British after midnight had deserted their 

^'^^'^^ camp, and were already beyond their reach. 

How 18. Durinsr this day no less than 59 British sol- 

many ^ 

from^^^ diers perished from the heat alone. The Ameri- 

^^'^^' cans lost eight officers and sixty-one privates killed, 
What and about one hundred and sixty-one w^ounded, 
Toti orf while the British lost, in all, three hundred and fifty- 
sides? eight men, including officers. One thousand men 
deserted during the march, and one hundred were 
^^j^^t taken prisoners. This victory w^as celebrated with 
thought rejoicings throughout the United States, and Con- 
victory? gress passed a vote of thanks to Gen. Washington 
and his army for their bravery. 

19. Soon after the treaty of alliance had been 
wer?dis- ratified, France fitted out a fleet of twelve sail of 
toAme- the line under Count d'Estaing, to co-operate 
witli our army. At the same time, the British gov- 
ernment sent out a fleet to reinforce Admiral Lord 
Howe. Both fleets were delayed on the passage 
by contrary w^inds. In July, the French fleet 
fkrther^ arrived off the coast of Delaware, and not finding 
them" the British there, sailed for New York. Here they 
continued eleven days during w^hich they captured 
twenty English merchantmen, when, with the ad- 
vice of Washington, D' Estaing sailed for New 
p^i't. with a view of co-operating with the Ameri 



Chap. III. 



FRENCH FLEET. 309 



cans in expelling the British from Rhode Island, itT8 
of which they had held possession nearly two years. 

20. Sullivan, at the head of ten thousand men, wiJSShe 
had crossed over to Rhode Island to co-operate with menus' of 

^ Sullivan? 

the naval force. Generals Greene and Lafayette 
were also sent with detachments, and on the 9th anTila- 
of August, it was agreed to attack Newport by *^^'^"^' 
land and water, but on that very morning Admiral what 

_ were 

Howe appeared with the British fleet. The French their 

A r plans, 

admiral in order to engage the enemy to better ad- f^ip!,^^^ 
vantage at sea, set sail to attack him. A terrible change? 
storm commenced which raged violently and inces- what ef- 
santly for three days, drenching the exposed forces the 
of Sullivan, and carrying destruction with it on pj^^JJ^^ 
the ocean. The fleets were both disabled, and and^the 

1 T 1 . ■, . . ,, troops J 

obliged to put mto then* respective ports to rent. 

21. Gen. Sullivan no longer dared to remain, whatdh 

° ' Suihvan 

and after some skirmishing in which there was ^"^^ 
considerable loss on both sides, the army made 
a skilful retreat to the main-land. It was a for- ^^y 
tunate action, for in a few hours Gen. Clinton ar- Tonun&tl 
rived with four thousand men, and resistance from 
our little band would have been vain. Thus ended 
an expedition which had promised a great deal, 
and of which high hopes had been entertained, ^j^^'^l;,. 
In November, D' Estaing sailed with his fleet for sUnn 
the West Indies, to attack the British dependencies 
in that quarter. 

22. Durinjof the summer of this year, a most har- whatoc- 

^ ^ . . curred 

assing w^ar was carried on by the Indians against ^^1^1^^, 
the inhabitants on our western frontier, but an ex- msylar, 
pedition under the intrepid Col. Clarke soon put an 
end to these outrages. 



310 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. p^n, H, 

fTT8 The lonely and sequestered vale of Wyoming 
next became the theatre of one of the most honic 
What is scenes ever witnessed. 
wyo-° 23. Many years before the Revolution, a colony 

ming, its . _, -^ \ , , , \ / 

situation i|-om Oonnccticut had commenced a settlement m 

and set 

tiement? ^j^jg charming valley through which the Susque- 
hannah flowed. The inhabitants were pious, and 
What is perhaps no spot on earth in so small a settlement, 
the in- numbered so many happy souls. About one thou- 
^"'*- sand families were gathered here, and industry and 
H^,^ frugality added to their prosperity. When the 
many of R^eyoJutiQi^ broke out, one thousand brave youths 
joined of noble sires joined the army. There is not a spot 

the ar- »^ -^ ^ ^ ^ 

"*^- on our guilty earth uncursed by evil. Party spirit 
What is S-i'ose and the inhabitants divided in two parties, 
Whigs* as Whigs and Tories. The former had the ma- 

and To- . . ^ ^ , . ... 

ries? jority and used some arbitrar}^ measures, which 
so incensed the latter that they vowed to be re- 
venged. 
Se To-'^ 24. Taking advantage of the absence of the sons, 
advan''^ they resolved on one of the blackest acts record- 
anf ^' ed on the historic pas^e. Joinin^: to their number 

what did ^ ^. ^ 

sofver several hundred Indians anxious to witness the 
^hat annihilation of the whites — increasing their forces 
indlan^'^ to about 1,600 — they started on their demoniacal 

force ? 

What is ^^'^*^^^' Never did the valley of Wyoming present 
thi'^beau- ^ I'nore beautiful aspect, as far as nature's rich gifts 
onjin^at blcsscd it ; but a close observer could mark in the 
»ime hurried step arid quickened speech of the old men, 

and the anxious face and tearful eye of the women, 

th,at danger was apprehended. 

25, Their fears were somewhat calmed by a 

message from Col, Butler, the Tory commander, 



Chap. III. MASSACRE AT WYOMING. 311 

that he would not hann them, but would like to i-^^s 
hold a parley with them. Accordingly Col. Zebu- wha~ 
Ion Butler, a cousin of the commander of the sav- Sf bS^ 
age horde, accompanied by nearly all the men in ^r^ol^^^ 
the settlement, capable of bearing arms, went out meet ^ 
to meet them. Instantly the work of murder com- and What 
menced, and nearly every man was butchered in fi^fg.^^F 
the most awful manner. ^^'"^^' 

26. The affrighted women and children fled to where 
the forts, which had been hastily erected, and every women 
possible means of defense was adopted by Col. see" 
Dennison, who was left in command of the remain- 
der of the men. Soon, the horrid band came with th?^af> 
yells and nnprecations to the tort, and to make g^^^J^^ 
their errand known, they threw the bleeding scalps ^Sd 
of 196 heads of their beloved ones into the fort. 
Feeling resistance to be vain, Dennison sent out to 
inquire the terms of surrender, to which Butler re- Describe 

the com- 
plied, " The Hatchet.^^ A few moments completed ^f^i'l^l^ 

the horrid work. The men were murdered, and buTch"^ 
the women with their babes were locked in the ^'^^ 
houses and forts, and destroyed in one awful con- 
flagration. Humanity sickens at the recital of such 
scenes. 

27. Wyoming was never more called the happy what is 
valley. The few who survived the massacre, had wyo-° 

• xningl 

a bitter lot, and the grave received crushed and 
broken hearts, when at last their pilgrimage was where 
ended. Similar acts of atrociry took place at Cherry ac^'^per- 
valley in New York and at Tappan, but we for- ^|[^^^^ 
bear : the story of human beings engaging in such tSy^cm- 
deeds 'is painful to the heart. In all these instan- theene- 

' ^ my? 



3l2 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Part II. 



17 7 8 ces ^* duartei" was asked, and answered only with 

a plunge of the bloody knife. 
What did 28. Toward the close of this campaign, the Brit- 
Lh le"^' ish finding, after the capture of Burffovne, nothing 
thi'dose ^^^^^^ ^^ gained at the JNorth, determined to change 
cam-*" the plan of operations, and attempt the subjugation 

01 the South. 
^^^l In November, Sir Henry Clinton dispatched Col. 
sirHen"! Campbell with about two thousand men to com- 
ton '"' mence operations against Georgia, then one of the 

weakest States. The American forces under the com- 



What is 
said of 



mand of their general, Robert Howe, were inadequate 
Ameri- to fcsist the cucmy. They fought bravely, howev 
forces in er, but finally were overcome, and after a short con 
South? iQ^i ij^Q capital surrendered, and the whole of Geor- 
whatpf S^^ came into possession of the British. This was 
ki^^the^ the only State in the Union in which a legislative 
[h^^Biit- body assembled, under the authority of Great Brit- 
ain, after the Declaration of Independence. 
What is 29. Thus ended the campaign of 1778, the least 

said.of . . , , . . ^ , 

thiscam- important 01 any since the beginning oi the wai 
Gen. Lincoln received orders from Congress to 
tKr-^' iake command of the southern forces, and the army 
*°^ under Washington retired to winter-quarters near 
Middle-Brook in New Jersey. 



Chap. IV. PLAN OF CAMPAIGN. 3J3 

ltT9 

CHAPTER IV. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1779. 

1. Never had the finances of the country been m what 

•^ was the 

SO low a state, as in the beginning of 1779. Never J^^gf 
iudd party spirit and private jealousies been moreJngT'" 
rife in Congress, than at this moment. A gloomy 
prospect was presented to the American patriot. 
Here, again, the peculiar virtues and talents of 
Washington were exhibited in their brightest light, ^j^^^^^ 
Attacked by misrepresentations and angry speeches, olwSh- 
and loaded with a weight of troubles both in the ISfiefaii 

•111* -I /»T •! histrialsi 

camp and out, still hopmg and confidmg m the arm 
of Providence, onward he went in the path of duty, 
the " great and good man," imitating the meek and 
lowly One, who, when he was reviled, reviled not 
again. 

2. Washington spent some time in Philadelphia what 

° '^ *-^ plan was 

with Congress, maturing a plan for the campaign. gJ^^^S^ 
It was concluded to hold the army entirely on the paijn? 
defensive, with the exception of visiting v/ith con- 
dign punishment the Tories and Indians, who had 
committed such merciless ravages the preceding 
year. This defensive plan was necessary, from the ^^^^^^ 
exhaustion of the treasury. Efforts had been made ^^^l ^^<| 
to negotiate loans in Europe, but only small sums Sfst^ ^"^ 
had been obtained. No other resource remained 
tlian to emit bills of credit, or paper money. In 1775 ^^J^^/ 
three millions of dollars were issued. As a circu- g-'onTr' 
lating medium, these bills were exceedingly valuable. m^ey» 

14 



314 HEVOLUTIONARY WAR. Fart II. 

1TT9 3. At the commencement of 1779 the amount 
issued had risen to over one hundred millions of 
was the dollars, and during this year, the amount was dou- 
SPsuch ^^^^' A. necessary consequence of such an im- 
gion"Jf " mense issue of bills of credit, was a depreciation of 
^noney? uotcs to nearly a fortieth of their nominal value. 

4. The scanty provision made for the mainte- 
nance of the officers, induced many resignations, 
^^^^ until Congress, after having been repeatedly warned 
tfondid by Washington, awoke to the true state of affairs 
greTs They resolved that half-pay should be allowed theii 
live to officers, for seven years after the expiration of their 
MidieS services, and subsequently extended it to the dura- 
""^"^^•tion of their lives. 

whatex. 5. Throughout this year, little more was aimed 

fittld out ^^ ^y ^^^^ British in the North, than depredation and 

vJrkr butchery. For this purpose an expedition was 

i^sJd Sf fitted out from New York against Virginia, in which 

private and public property was indiscriminately 

destroyed, and the most ferocious cruelty every 

where marked their path. In twenty-one days 

Portsmouth and Norfolk were seized, one hundred 

and twenty-seven vessels were taken or burned, 

and two and a half millions of property destroyed. 

It was an expedition only worthy of Goths — being 

undertaken merely for plunder. 

What is 6. A similar expedition was made against Con 

here said , 

Tryoni' ^^^ticut, uudcr Gov. Tryou. In works of brutality 
he was often selected by Gen. Clinton. No act was 
too vile for him to perform — no place too sacred to 
desecrate. New Haven, Fairfield, and Norwalk 
were visited, and exhibited fearful scenes of plun- 
der, conflagration, and distress. Before applying 



Chap. IV. PUTNAM AT HORSE NECK. 315 

the torch, the soldiers were allowed to break open 1779 
'trunks, closets, and places of deposit, and appropri- ^^^^ 
ate to their own use money, jewelry, or any other SiS 
article they coveted. After these marauding incur- on'smer? 
sions, females, frantic and starving, were found wan- 
dering in swamps and solitary places, whither they 
had fled for safety. 

7. Washington could do little to protect these ^^y 
places. He dared not divide his small army sta- wail-"**^ 
tioned on both sides of the North river, in the im- S" 
mediate vicinity of the enemy, as he would then g^rotect 
subject the whole to be destroyed. Besides, in ^^"^""^^ 
order to protect the inhabitants, he must have an 
army sufficiently large to cover the country, he 
therefore deemed it prudent to risk no more than 

was consistent with the general welfare. 

8. About this time General Putnam performed Describe 
his celebrated feat of ridino^ down the stone stairs nam's 

^ celebra- 

at Horse Neck. He with 150 men was attacked by of^ridfng 
Gov. Tryon, with 1,500, and retarded the advance Sra* 
of the enemy, until he saw the infantry and cavalry Neck. 
preparing for a charge. He instantly ordered his 
men to retire to a neighboring swamp, and plung- 
ing his rowels in his steed, rode down the precipice 
to the utter consternation and chagrin of the British 
dragoons. A shower of balls was poured upon him. 
He remained unharmed, though one pierced his hat. 
After procuring a reinforcement, he faced about and 
pursued Gov. Tryon, taking about fifty prisoners. 

9. The campaign of 1779 will ever be memora- ^^^^^ .^ 
blefor the reduction of Stony Point, one of the most gj,1iy**' 
brilliant actions during the war. This post was ^*^"^" 
on the west bank of the Hudson river, and was of 



316 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Part II. 

1TT9 vast importance to either army. It had been 
strengthened by every means of art. Situated on 
an eminence washed by the Hudson on two sides, 
while a swamp overflowed by the tide lay on the 
other side. Six hundred men guarded this fort, 
and a double row of abattis surrounded the entire 
hill. Washington committed this hazardous en- 
terprise to the gallant Wayne. 
Describe ^^' ^^ ^^^ cvcniug of July 16th, after marching 
march fourtcen mllcs over lofty heights, through deep mo- 
stony rasses and narrow defiles, with his band of twelve 
hundred, he approached the fort, within a mile. 
Every thing depended on silence, and he sternly or- 
dered each man to march with unloaded musket 
and fixed bayonet. At midnight, dividing his men 
into two parties, and heading one division himself, 
orders were given for one party to enter the fortress 
at the right, and the other at the left. The tide had 
flooded the whole marsh, yet they stopped not for 
that. 
Describe H. An advaucc party of twenty men attacked^ 
tack/ the double palisade, when instantly the sentinels 
upon the fort shouted in hot haste, " The foe— they 
come, they come!" while from below Wayne 
sounded in startling accents, " On to the fort, my 
brave men, on to the fort !" A tremendous fire was 
poured upon them, but onward they marched 
through the morass, driven into spray by the grape- 
shot and balls, while the hissing, bursting shells fell 
around them in every direction. At last the heavy 
axes of the advance party or forlorn hope forced 
their way, and a shout of joy sounded through the 
air. 



€liap. IV. STONY POINT. 31? 

12. At this moment their gallant leader fell, itt9 
wounded in the head. Although wounded, he said what is 
to his men, with enthusiastic tones, " March on^ wWiJe? 
and carry me to the fort ^ for I will die at the head 

of my coluninP They lifted him, and with his 
head upon a faithful breast, they bore him onward 
until the centre of the fort was reached, and both 
parties met, when a deafening shout rent the air. ^ere 
The point was gained. The fort was carried, and cef^furS 

. ^ . . ^ ' their at- 

the military stores, standards, and ordnance fell ^^^^ 
into the hands of the Americans. The English 
lost over six hundred, in killed and prisoners. 

13. The brave are scrupulous in the observance what 
of the laws of humanity toward a conquered foe. ""^^^^^ 
Our honest soldiers abstained from pillage or dis- ^^^^"? 
order, and disdained to take the lires of those who 
asked " quarter ;" thus showing, as was said to 
Wayne, that "bravery, humanity, and magnanimity 

are the national virtues of the Americans." 

Soon after, the British at Paulus Hook, opposite what 
to New York, were surprised by Major Lee, who post' was 
succeeded in storming the works and taking one 
hundred and sixty prisoners. 

14. While these events were transpirmg at the ^^^^, 
North; scenes of equal interest were enacted in t^subm- 
Georgia and South CaroHna. The enemy were south 
encouraged by hope of a speedy victory, as the ®^®' 
country was weak through a scanty population, 
numerous slaves and tories. 

As has been already mentioned, Gen. Lincoln whywaj 

•^ ' Gen. Lm- 

was dispatched to collect the army, scattered after ^^Jth^* 
the battle of Savannah, in December of 1778, and 
to defend the inhabitants as much as possible from 



318 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. p^rt II 

17T9 ^he marauding attacks of the British aad tories. 
What is Many of these were men of infamous character, 
the t^ more soUcitous for booty than for the interests of 
the king. They had been reinforced by troops from 
whosuc- Florida, and Prevost received the chief command 

ceeded ' 

beT?^* of the Southern British army, in the place of Camp 

bell, who had returned to England. 
What 15. The first object of the British was to get pos- 

firstoi)-^ session of Port Royal in South Carolina, but they 

jcct or 

ilh?^"^" were met by Col. Moultrie, of whom we have spoken, 

and repulsed with great loss. 
Why did Encouraged by this action, Gen. Lincoln sent ai) 
colnseUd expedition of fifteen hundred men under Gen. Ash, 

Gen. Ash ^ . . • ^ • 

theene- ^^ I'^press the mcursions of the enemy m Georgia, 
GeoJgia? and by driving them from their posts on the Sa- 
vannah, confine them to the low and unhealthj* 
country near the ocean. The British, as they ap- 
proached, evacuated Augusta, and Gen. Ash pur 
sued them as far as Briar Creek, Here he was sud- 

What is 

said of denly and unexpectedly surprised by Prevost, who, 



the at- "-"V ^^^^ ^..^.^^^^.^^^.j ^^.j^wov^v. ^j ^xv^.v,^., .vxx.., 

tack at 
Briar 
Creek ? 



Briar ^* with Jiiue hundred veterans, by a circuitous march, 



had fallen upon his rear. One hundred and fifty of 
the Americans were killed by the first fire of the 
enemy, and in retreat, many were drowned in the 
Savannah river, or engulfed in the deep morasses 
on its margin. By this unfortunate surprise, 
Gen. Lincoln lost one-fourth of his army, and the 
British were again in full possession of Georgia. 
What 16. Great apprehensions were now entertained 

tears ^ ^ 

mwen ^^^' ^^^^ Safety of the adjacent States, and the brave 

cdT"* Carohnians, defeated but not discouraged, gathered 

around the standard of Lincoln. John Rutledge, 

a man beloved and extensively known in that re- 



cnap. IV ADMIRAL d'eSTAING. 319 

giori, wa? elected governor, and invested with die- mo 
tatorial powers. 

The condition of the southern States claimed the what is 
immediate attention of Congress, as Lincohi's army, LTncSn'* 
except a few hundred continentals, consisted of ^"^s-^^* 
inexperienced militia, and many of these were be- "^f^^ 
coming impatient of absence from their homes, fnilr^e 
Washington sent a part of his own small band, and 
solicited D'Estaing, who was still employed in ope- 
rations against the British in the West Indies, to 
proceed immediately to the southern States, to en- 
gage in the fall campaign. 

17. D'Estaing at once accepted the invitation, whatu 
and in September appeared off the coast of Georgia, d^es-^ 
to the great surprise of the British, and captured ^^'^^^^ 
three frigates and a fifty gun ship. But the Bri- 
tish concentrated all their forces at Savannah, and whatdid 
made diligent preparations for defense. D'Estaing taingde- 
proudly demanded a surrender of the town, which, 
after 24 hours' consideration, was refused by Pre- ^^^[^^ 
vost, saying he meant to hold out to the last. Im- ip^revoJu 
mediately 37 cannon and 9 mortars, accompanied 

by 16 heavy guns from the fleet, opened a furious 
discharge. The garrison rephed by a fire from 
nearly 100. cannon, and kept up an unceasing roar, 
day and night, for five days. Still no breach had 
been made, but the sufferings of the inhabitants 
were fearful. 

18. At last D'Estainff and Lincoln determined Describe 

... the a»- 

on an assault, leading on their armies in three ^^u^'- 
columns of the French, and one of the Americans. 
D'Estaing, at the head of the first column, brian- 
dishing hi? sword, marched boldly on, but was soon 



320 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Pari II, 

1TT9 borne wounded fiom the field. A deadly contest 
What is ensued, in the midst of which two hundred horse- 
KlLw? men came galloping to the place, with Pulaski at 
their head — but he was soon mortally wounded. 
Of Lau- 19. Onward next came the gallant Laurens, in 

renal ° ' 

the hot fire, regardless of danger. It is said, 
when he found his brave band routed and in con- 
fusion, that in despair he " flung away his sword, 
and with his noble soul wrung with bitterest an- 
guish, stretched forth his hands and prayed for 
death, and refused to stir till forced away by his 
companions." Near him was the beloved of all 
who knew him, the simple-hearted, self-denying 

plii^^^' Jasper, grasping in death the standard presented to 
his regiment at Fort Moultrie. The British sus- 

wasthe tained a slis^ht loss, but more than a thousand 

loss of . 

uesV^^' Frenchmen and Americans lay stretched on the 
field. D'Estaing,* anxious to embark for Europe 
before the autumnal storms, refused to stay longer, 
and Lincoln was obliged to retreat across the Sa- 
vannah into South Carolina. 
Describe 20. Duriug the summer of this year. Gen. Sul- 
van:s ex- Rvan was successful in his expedition against the 

pedition I '-^ . 

thetories Indians and tories under the command of Brandt, 
5?M3.^"' Butler, and others, who were implicated in the 
massacre at Wyoming. He boldly pursued them 
to the very heart of their country, and burned forty 
Indian villages, destroying in his route more than 
150 bushels of corn, and every vestige of their in- 

* The French fleet encountered severe storms on its return, 
and arrived at Brest in a very shattered condition. D'Estaing 
was one of the victims of the guillotine during the French Rev- 
olution. 



Chap. IV. PAUL JONES. 321 

dustiy. After an absence of nearly two months he i>x>x^ 
returned to Pennsylvania, about the middle of 
October, having lost but forty men. The Indians 
vv^ere intimidated by this severe chastisement, 
and the frontier settlements enjoyed repose for a 
time. 

21. This year was sio^nalized by the victories Forwha 

. was 1771 

achieved by our infant navy, under the command ?»|5ai- 
of the intrepid Paul Jones. The French govern- 
ment aided our commissioners at Paris in fitting 
out a squadron of three frigates and two smaller 
vessels, and Jones was the chosen commander. 
After capturino^ some vessels off the coast of Scot- what i» 

^ ^ said of 

land, he fell in with a Baltic merchant fleet of 41 i^fl^^ 
sail, under convoy of the British frigate Serapis, of ^^^'' 
41 guns, and the Countess Scarborough, of 20 guns. 
The convoy immediately separated, but the two 
war frigates advanced to the battle with flowing 
sheets. The promontory of Flamborough, on the 
coast of England, about three miles distant, was 
covered with spectators. 

22. At the close of a beautiful September day, Descnbe 
with the light of a full moon, the hostile vessels tie! 
commenced their fire. The British having guns 

of superior metal, Jones ordered his ship to be 
lashed to that of the enemy. The action then 
became terrific — the muzzles of the enemy's guns 
touched theirs, and the gunners, in ramming their 
cartridges, often thrust their ramrods into the ene- 
my's ports. Pearson, the British commander, en- 
deavored repeatedly to cut the vessels loose. The 
details of this battle surpass any thing of the kind 
recorded in naval warfare. The *• Bon Homme 

14* 



322 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Part II ► 

ITT 9 Richard" of Jones was old and rotten, and by the 
v^rjiatig incessant firing had become almost unmanageable, 
jones^ and soon, only three ffuns were effective. 

vessel? 7 J o 

What 22- He then assailed the enemy with grenades, 
^ce which set fire to the Serapis in several places. In 
the ves- the midst of the uproar a cry was heard that the 

sel was *■ '' 

hem *° ^^^ Homme Richard was sinking, and at the same 

^®' awful moment the Alliance, another vessel of 
Jones' squadron coming up, and mistaking his ves- 
sel for the British, opened a broadside upon him. 
The water was pouring in in torrents, and in the 
confusion, a hundred English prisoners were re- 
leased, and Capt. Pearson hailed to know if the 

JSd'^of colors were struck? Jones, undismayed when all 
around despaired, was enraged at the various acci- 
dents, and in a voice of thunder told Pearson he 
would never strike his colors ! Immediately he 
ordered the hundred prisoners to the pumps, de- 
claring they should sink with the vessel, if they 
refused to work. It is beyond the power of de- 
scription to paint the frightful scene during these 
four hours. The Serapis, at length, as the fire 
rolled around her masts, struck her colors, and Jones 
was conqueror. 

What is 24. But the Bon Homme Richard was a shat- 

DEid of 

Homme ^crcd tiling — riddled, and on fire in two places. 

Richard? j^^^^g is said to have watched her with intense 
anxiety and a swelling heart, as he saw her last 
mast disappear, and finally the eddying waves close 
over her as she sunk with the three hundred vic- 
tims of that fearful contest. 

Taki^of ^^^ value of his prizes during a short cruise of 

Jdze/? three months, was estimated at more than a quar- 



Cliap.IV. CLOSE OF THE CAMPAIGN. 323 

ter of a million of dollars. Louis XVI. conferred mo 
on him the Order of Merit, and Congress gi ve him Howwat 
a vote of thanks, and presented him with a srold wlrdld 

- - ' ^ , . ° for his 

medal, to commemorate the victory. braveryi 

25. The campaign of 1779 ended without any ^^^^1^^^ 

decisive results. The main division of the army aJmy go 

went into winter- quarters at Morristown, while telf-JIS:. 

detachments were stationed at West Point and 

other posts on the Hudson. 

This campaign terminated in gloom. The ^^^^^^j^^ 

Americans, had a feeble army, reduced num- 



state of 
our army 

hers, and an exhausted treasury, while Great Bri- time?^ 



What did 

Parha- 

ment 



tain was redoubling her energies, having bound- 
less resources at command. Parliament agreed to 
send one hundred and twenty thousand men tolf?®^ 
America, and voted fifty millions of dollars for the 
support of the war. Washington had not such 
resources at command— he saw with anguish a 
discontented, starving array on the verge of mutiny 
—Congress convulsed and weakened by dissensions whatdid 
—an inefficient ally in France, and, to use his own SSJi' 
words, uttered in bitterness and ffrief. he declared ompwa 

* o 7 pects at 

that '• friends and foes were combining to pull '^^^*^"^®' 
down the fabric they had been raising at the ex- 
pense of so much time, blood, and treasure.' 

• Washington's Letter! 



jj* 



324 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Part II. 

1T80 

CHAPTER V. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1780. 

What 1. Disaffection to the American cause was daily 

was the 

feeifnff^at increasing at the South, while the adherents of the 
fud^'why crown were becoming more numerous. The suc- 
>eopie^ cessive defeats of the Americans during a protracted 

'ons for T , , , . . ^ 

peace? ^^siY, and the numberless miseries accompanymg 
such a state of affairs, made the people long for 
whatdid peace. Savannah, the chief town in Georgia, was 
dor**" in the hands of the British troops ; and Sir Henry 
Clinton, taking immediate advantage of the depar- 
ture of the French fleet, resolved to gain possession 
of the capital of South Carolina. Leaving the com- 
mand of the royal army to Gen. Knyphausen, he 
sailed from New York, on the 26th of Dec, 1779, 
with about 8,000 troops, and a large amount of 
military stores, 
oescrihe 2. He had not proceeded far, when a violent 
rf® thr' storm arose, in which the fleet was driven far from 
its course. A vessel was lost, containing all the 
heavy ordnance, and nearly all the artillery and 
cavalry horses perished. The troops, after a dan- 
gerous passage, effected a landing in the last of 
January, and began to repair their losses among 
the tory population, preparatory to the siege of 
Charleston. 
What is 3. Gen. Lincoln was at Charleston, doingr everv 

said of , . . - . /» I 1 , 

Lincoln? thing m his power to prepare for a bold defense. 
He had "^nly a small band, amomiting to about 



C^iap. V. SURRENDER OF CHARLESTON. 323 

3,000 efi'ective men and some armed citizens, to i<^sii 
check the approach of 9,000 veteran troops. Clin- ^^atTs 
ton, with his well-fed and clothed army, might have the"^ ^^ 
entered the town in a few hours, but he chose to milTsot 

' Clinton? 

orotract his operations. 

4. After remaining a month on the islands south 
of the city, he crossed the Ashley river on the first 
of April, and began the siege in form, by the erec- 
tion of batteries within eight hundred yards of the tJfe*"'^^ 
American works. These works consisted of a chain 4^^"" 
of redoubts, lines, &c., stretching across the penin- J'^^^^J^^ 
8ula from the Ashley to the Cooper river, on which cLllf 
were mounted eighty cannons and mortars. A "''^"* 
canal, filled with water, was in front of this, besides under 
two rows of abattis and a picketed ditch. These supem- 

* sion 

defenses were constructed under the superintend- S^ty^on- 
ence of the French engineer, Launay. stmcted) 

5. On the 9th of April, Gen. Clinton sent a sum- what is 
mons to Gen. Lincoln, to surrender, which he thesiege, 

' ' and vyhy 

promptly refused, and the siege went on for ten cotHur- 
days, when a second summons was sent and re- ^^^"^^^"^ 
jected. After a vain and desperate struggle, day 
after day, and night after night, amid the most 
alarming discouragements, shut up by sea and land 
— all provisions, save a little rice, exhausted — Lin- 
coln, at last, listened to the entreaties of the dis- 
tressed inhabitants, and capitulated. 

6. On the 12th of May, his entire army laid down Hf^^^Jl 
their arms, and South Carolina was given over to SS*' 
the exulting troops of a rapacious and sanguinary 

foe. There was scarcely a soldier in Georgia or 
South Carolina, who Avas not either in arms for the 
crown or a prisoner on parole. The number that 



326 



REVOLUTIONARY WAR. p^^^t II 



iT80 surrendered was about 6,000, including 1,000 Ameri- 
can and French seamen. The artillery amounted 
to about 400 pieces. The loss duiing the siege, on 
each side, was nearly equal ; of the Americans, 254 
were killed or wounded ; of the British, 268. 
ftS ^- Clinton immediately endeavored to gain the 
cunton^ entire possession of the State, and dispatched three 
seci^e" detachments to seize important posts. By these 
Bion of the country bordering on the Santee was scoured, 
state? Georgetown and Ninety-six seized, while the infa- 
Describe Hious Tarletou spread terror and death wherever 
litle^J^"*' he passed. When the helpless and dyinff sued for 

practised * . i,, i r 

^y^Tarie- quarter. It was refused — whole bands of men, who, 

after fighting bravely, w^ere obliged to surrender, 

asking quarter, were barbarously murdered. 

tTrms^of 8. Feehng satisfied with the state of affairs in 

ty kept^* South Carolina, Sir Henry Clinton embarked for 

iccord- '' ^ 

Jj|^"jgg, New York, leaving Cornwallis with an army of 
4,000 men to complete the subjugation of the 
South. In a short time the terms of the treaty 
signed at the capitulation were openly and grossly 
violated, and the people, who, under honest and 
^jjg^t kind treatment, would have quietly obeyed, arose 
Elation indignantly at such treachery. Cornwallis had 
sued? issued a proclamation, stating, whoever would not 
take an active part in securing his majesty's gov- 
ernment, should be treated as rebels. Many suf- 
fered for a time, but the provocations becoming 
more insufferable, they formed themselves in small 
bands for partisan warfare. These, for a long time 
Who spread desolation among the tories. Among the 
[eade»^qr*'eaders of these bands, and foremost for bravery 
Sbei? and integrity of purpose, were Marion and Sum- 



Chap. V. BATTLE OF CAMDEN. 327 

ter. Many a tale of boldness is recorded of these i^'sq 
noble men, who, regardless of every thing like per- ~ 
sonal emolument, thought only of their country, 
and liberty for their children.* 

9. These bands of patriots were without pay — 
they wore no uniform, and depended from day to 
day on chance for subsistence. Often they were 
destitute of ammunition, and were obliged to watch ^^^^f" 
as their companions shot down the enemy, when '^^"*' 
they would instantly seize their muskets and car- 
tridges. Saw-mills furnished them broadswords, 

and the patriot women, with their own hands, 
brought out their pewter dishes to be formed into 
bullets. At night, the cold earth, when they slept, 
was their resting-place, but frequently they marched 
durag its live-long hours. 

10. While Sumter, Marion, and their com- ^ere ap- 
panions in suffering and toil. Colonels Cleveland, wfthMa- 
Campbell, Selby, Williams, and Sevier, with their 
equally brave men, were achieving a succession of 
gallant enterprises, a continental army, under Gen. 
Gates, who had superseded Gen. Lincoln in com- ^a^loln. 

Gates I 

* A British officer had been sent from Georgetown to nego- 
tiate an exchange of prisoners, and was taken to Gen. Marion's 
tent. An interesting interview took place, during which the 
officer partook with Marion ofan humble dinner of roasted sweet 
potatoes. He was so affected by Marion's sentiments and ar- 
dent love for liberty, that on his return he resigned his commis- 
sion and retired from the service, declaring that it was useless 
to fight against such men. He had little dreamed of the priva- 
tions of our people, until he saw an American general and his 
officers, without pay, almost without clothes, dining on roots, 
and drinking nothing but w^ter, and all these privations en» 
♦lured for liberty. 



328 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Fart U. 

1780 i^and, was approaching Camderij about 110 miles 

north-west from Charleston, 
whowas 11- The brave De Kalb was also with these 
Gates? troops, and had Gates listened to his prudent ad- 
vice, we have good reason to suppose much blood 
might have been spared. He had been advised by 
De Kalb to proceed by a southern route, where he 
could obtain an abundant supply of provisions ; but 
^^ .^ in rash haste, which was afterward changed to in- 
'hesuf- excusable tardiness, he took a straight road, lead- 
themenfing through a dreary pine barren, and many of his 
men died on the route of disease, fatigue, and hun- 
ger. At length, arrived near the enemy, his haste 
oSef seemed suddenly to leave him, and he spent four 
S? days in skirmishing, while, in the mean time, during 
his dilatoriness, the enemy received reinforcements. 
Still the royal troops amounted only to two thou- 
sand, while the Americans numbered four thou- 
sand. 
What 12. At midnight, on the 11th of August, both ar- 

fhl^ni^ht ^ies ignorant of the other's approach, found them- 
nti^"^' selves almost in contact, and the gloom of night 
was illumined with flashes of musketry. Skir- 
mishes took place during the night, in which the 
whatad- British had the advantage. De Kalb a^ain ven- 

vice (lid ° ° 

i^l^Kaib tured to advise Gates, as he was hemmed m be- 
Gatcs? tween two swamps, to change his position, but he 
madly refused, insinuating that De Kalb's advice 
What arose from fear. The day broke, and the engage- 
viacein meut bccamc general, but with the first furious 

the tirst & J 

ftnffagi charge of the British bayonets, the Virginia troops 
'"®"" under Gates fled, while the confusion spread to the 
North Carolina militia. 



Chap. V. BARON DE KALB. 329 

13. All was disorder, save among the brave men it so 
under De Kalb, who, at their head, in the hottest ^i^^tig 
of the fight, for a time withstood the advancing bat- i?eKaib 
talions. At last Tarleton with his dragoons at full men? 
gallop, came riding down De Kalb's men without 
mercy — there were no American cavalry to keep 
them in check. De Kalb,* the noble friend of Ame- 
rica, fell pierced with eleven wounds. His men, who 
loved him devotedly, surrounded his wounded form, 
exclaiming in bitterness, "Save the Baron de Kalb ! 

save the Baron de Kalb !" what is 

14. De Kalb had a presentiment, that he would saiJof 
tall in this battle, and had said, in reply to Gates' and ^ 

' J r J Gates? 

insinuations, "A few hours will prove who are the 
brave." These words were true. While De Kalb 
and his men were contending with the whole British 
army. Gates actually put spurs to his horse and fled 
with the utmost precipitation for eighty miles with- 
out stopping. His northern laurels had indeed 
turned to southern willows.f what 

15. The British lost five hundred in this engage- [^^^^l, 
ment, but it is impossible to estimate the loss of the ^"^^ 

* Individuals of both armies, struck with admiration at De 
Kalb's noble conduct, endeavored to shield his body, and some 
lost their own lives in the attempt. To a British officer, who 
tenderly watched the dying man, and endeavored with his aids 
to staunch the wounds, he said, "/ tkaiik you for your generous 
sympathy J but I die the death I always prayed for — the death of a 
soldier fighting for the rights of man.'''' His last moments wpre 
spent in dictating a letter to the brave men who supported iiim 
during the action, of whom he said, " He had no words that cnuld 
sufficiently express his love and admiration of their valor " 

f Lee met Gates on his way to join the southern army, and 
as if in prophecy of what took place at Camden, said, " Beware, 
your northern laurels do no*^ turn ^^^ sou*hein wiro-i^vs " 



330 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Pj^rt H. 

1780 Americans, as no returns were made after the 
^^j^y battle. 

BrTtfsh^® Gates, with 150 men of his miserable army, re- 
•n the treated to Hillsborough. There remained no army 

pursuit ^ "^ 

auStV ^^ oppose Corn wallis, and sickness, arising from the 
pestilential air of a southern summer, checked the 
British in their pursuit of conquest. 
Congress at last resolved to supersede Gates, and 

How ordered an examination of his conduct. He no 

were 

lief cii- longer endeavored to supplant Washington. 

"^"^ihe In the northern States, hostilities were carried 
on by desultory operations, in which fifty houses in 
Springfield, a church and several houses at Con- 
necticut Farms were burned, and various other 
places destroyed. 

16. In proportion as misfortunes increased in 
every part of the United States, the oppressed people 

here^said sccmed lu this, the darkest hour of their struggle, 

Ameri- to have been animated with a renewed love for 



(II 

North ? 



can 

v omen ? 



liberty. Even the females, who, under ordinary 
circumstances, would shrink from such scenes, came 
forward, in various ways assisting the sick and the 
dying, or procuring food for the starving. Deny- 
ing themselves cheerfully many of the necessaries 
of life, they joined, heart and hand, in this glorious 
cause. Many of the ladies of Charleston displayed 

whatdid much zeal in the cause of their country, and gloried 

do to as- in the appellation of rebel ladies, 

sistthe r\ 

i^V}' 1^- France determined to assist the Americans 
still farther; and, persuaded by Lafayette, who 
had returned for a short time to his native country, 
they dispatched, on the 10th of July, Admiral de 
Ternay, who arriver' at Rhode Island, with a squad- 



Cliap.V. MISFORTUNES INCREASE. 331 

ron of 7 vsail of the line, 10 frigates and armed ves- i^so 
sels, besides 6,000 men under the command of the " 

brave and experienced Count de Rochambeau. But 
before these generous alhes had time to act, they 
were blockaded at Rhode Island by Admiral Ar- 
buthnot, with 10 sail of the line. 

18. This was a deep disappointment to the Ameri- what 
cans, but a deeper one was in store for them. They ^^^s^^ 

\ . . could the 

could brave all the horrors of war, the rigors of win- ^^^^^^^ 
ter, scantily clad, and nearly starved — endure the wnhout 
absence from home and all its endearments, with mUrs? 
few murmurs and with manly hearts — but a shudder 
of indignation and a heart-sickness overcame them 
when the treason of Arnold was brought to light, ^j^^^^,^^ 

19. Arnold a traitor! — Arnold, loaded with thCp^fieoT 
praises of a grateful country, a traitor ! Saratog-a's Amoll a 

111^111 1 1 • traitor? 

bloody field, and many others, came to then* remem- 
brance, and with hearts aching with mingled pity 
and shame, they again, in consternation, asked. Is 
Arnold a traitor 7 He who had been among the 
first to widen the breach between the mother coun- 
try and the colonies — Arnold, with a maimed body, 
wounded in fighting valiantly for liberty, a traitor ! 
From one end of the Union to the other, the news 
flew like lightning ; and even little children ran with 
trembhng steps and whitened lips, borrowing anxiety 
from their parents, lisping, Arnold a traitor ! 

20. As a warning to youth, we dwell on the 
painful story — doubly painful, because we cannot 
forget all that he bravely suffered in the early 
struggles of our nation. what is 

After the evacuation of Philadelphia by the Arnold 

^ •' while m 

British, in 1778, Arnold was stationed there as p^^^*^*^ 



332 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Part II 



conse- 
quence 



fY8Q military governor; his wounds at Saratoga, for a 
time, prevented his engaging in active duty. While 
in Philadelphia, he selected a wife from one of the 
disaffected or tory families. His wife is supposed 
to have been instrumental in weakening his attach- 
ment to his country. He hired a splendid mansion, 
furnished it in the most sumptuous style, and 
having expended most of his private fortune in the 

By what war, he found difficulty in meeting his expenses. 

did he Rather than retrench his extravagances, he resort- 

prcMJure ^ ' 

^d"what ^d to dishonest means to procure money, and by a 
was the gygi^gj^ Qf fiaud and deceit succeeded in appropri- 
ating public treasure to his private use. At length 
he was arraigned before a court martial, and rep- 
rimanded with all possible delicacy by Wash- 
ington, who was ever indulgent and forgiving to 
Arnold. 
In what 21. But he had determined to retrieve his for- 

mfamous 

he°atiS ^^"^^j ^^^ gratify his passion for revenge under 

engage? ^jQ^^gg inflicted, and in an evil hour, he consented 

to barter away the liberties for which he had once 

so nobly fought. He was too proud to become a 

deserter, and gold he must have in some way. At 

last, he opened a correspondence with Sir Henry 

Clinton, and speedily after that, the infamous work 

proceeded. He had procured from Washington the 

ww^of command of the fortress at West Point,* which. 

Point? for its strength, had been called the Gibraltar of 

America. It was more important than any other 

post, as it commanded the whole extent of country 

from New York to Canada, and secured a commu- 

* In the vaults of one of the forts was lodged the ammunition 
<or its own defense, and the stock of powder for the whole army. 



Chap. V. ARNOLD TURNS TRAITOR. 333 

nication between the eastern and southern States, i^so 
For 30,000 pounds sterling and the rank of briga- 
die»*-general in the British army, Arnold at last 
agreed to betray his country, and place West Point 
in Sir Henry Clinton's possession. 

22. Taking advantage of the absence of the ^vrnh 
vigilant Washington, who had gone to Hartford to t^id he 
meet Count Rochambeau, he resolved to finish j^^'t/^^ 
quickly the foul deed, and for that purpose held a 
conference with Major Andre,* the adjutant-gen- 
eral of the British army. All his plans were laid 
before Andre, and it was agreed to surrender the 
forts on the 25th. At a given signal from Arnold, 

the British transports were to sail up the Hudson, 
and land their troops, who, by manoeuvring, were 
to obtain possession of West Point. All American 
children are* familiar with the story ; but perhaps 
they have not recognized the hand of Providence 
in thwarting the plans of Andre and Arnold. 

23. Sir Henry Clinton had enjoined it on Andre ^^J^^, 
not to leave the sloop-of-war Vulture, in which he pianLia- 
came up, and it was his own determination not to fhwLt. 
land ; but here, in the first place, his plans were 
thwarted. Again he was disappointed in his ina- 
bility to return by water, as the Vulture, on account 

of the firing from an American vessel, had moved 
down the river ; then in the stubborn refusal of 
the man who brought him ashore, to take him 
back the next day — his unaccountable determina- ^S 

. , I . t, . . , , . showth« 

tion to change his route after partmg with his »g^{fjp«Y 
guide — his confusion and loss of presence of mind ^""^bl" 

- . _. half? 

♦ Andre, in Philadelphia, was a warm friend of Arnold's wif^,, 
and was favorably treated by Arnold. 



334 



REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Part II, 



1T80 when arrested on the road by the three* Ati.eri- 
cans — ^are miraculous hnks in a chain of providen- 
tial events, in which an interposincr hand is plainly 
visible. 

24. Andre was examined before a court martial 

What 18 

Andre'^ at Tappau, and, agreeably to the law and usage of 
execS-^ nations, was condemned as a spy to suffer death. 

Washington and his officers would gladly have 
saved the life of the accomphshed and excellent 
Andre, but necessity required the rigorous enforce- 
ment of the punishment. He wrote a most pa- 
thetic appeal to Washington, that he might be 
shot, as a more honorable death; but this could 
not be granted according to the strict rules of war. 

25. He was treated with the utmost kindness by 
Washington, who daily supplied him with food 
from his own table ; and Andre acknowledged all 
the civilities he received, and throughout his tr^'^t 
manifested those elevated sensibilities which indi 
cate greatness of soul. Andre was universally 
lamented both by the British and the Americans, 
and the spot of his sufferings and interment was 
consecrated by the tears of thousands.t 

* The captors of Andre were named John Paulding, David 
Williams, and Isaac Van Wart. Arnold's dispatches, plans 
&c., found in Andre's boots, were evidences of his being a spy. 
He offered them his horse, watch, purse, and large rewards Ifom 
the British government, if they would let him go. Although 
they were poor men, they were not to be bribed, and steadily re* 
fused — declaring that ten thousand guineas, or any other sum : 
would be no temptation. 

■f- Much has been said by friends and foes on the death of An- 
dre, while the death of ^A^ excellent Hale^ under more painful cir- 
cumstances^ seems almost forgotten even by his oian countrymen. 

In 1776, vhen the British, by the retreat of Washington, were 



Chap. V. DISGRACE OF ARNOLD. 335 

26. Arnold escaped detection and death ; but his it so 
fate was more tragical than that of Andr#. Doom- what is 
ed to perpetual banishment from his native land, of a?^'** 
branded as the only traitor m America, and scorn- 
ed by those to whom he bartered himself, he drag- 
ged out a miserable existence, constantly stung 
with remorse ; and wherever he moved, he heard in 
burning words whispered, '* Arnold^ the traitor /"* 

Sensible of the gracious, interposition of Provi- whywa. 
dence, and ffrateful for another signal evidence of thanU- 

, giving 

His superintending care, a day of public thanksgiv- 15'^^'"' 
ing was appointed on the 2d of November, through- ySi 
out the State of New York. 

left in possession of Long Island, it became necessary to obtain 
information of the strength and future movements of the enemy. 
Hale, animated by an ardent love for his country, volunteered 
to undertake this hazardous enterprise. He passed in disguise 
to Long Island, examined every part of the British army, and 
obtained much valuable information. On his return he was 
apprehended, and carried before Sir William Howe. Being 
convicted, he frankly acknowledged who he was and what were 
his views. The next morning he was executed in the most un- 
feeling manner. He desired the attendance of a clergyman ; 
this was refused. He asked for a Bible ; this was also denied. 
Letters which, on the morning of his execution, he wrote to his 
mother, were destroyed, " that the rebels should not know they 
had a man in their army who could die with so much firmness." 

His last words were — " 1 lament, I have but one life to lose for 
my country." 

" To the memory of Andre magnificent monuments have been 
erected by his country, and the highest honors and liberal re- 
wards bestowed on his family. To the memory of Hale not a stone 
has been erected, nor an inscription to preserve his ashes from insult" 

* The contempt that followed Arnold through life, is illus- 
irated on an occasion when Lord Surrey, since Duke of Norfolk, 
rising to speak in the House of Commons, perceiving Arnold 
in the gallery^ sat down with precipitation, exclaiming, " I will 
not speak while that aian," pointing to him, *' is in the house." 



336 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Fart II. 

1T80 27. Toward the close of the year, Holland de 
^tjat clared h^self the open enemy of Great Britain 
eveS""^ and a friend to America. This event revived the 

took 

pbeeat^ drooping spirits of the Americans, and they began, 
in the darkened future, to see dawnings of a 
brighter day. Congress hstened to Washington's 
appeal for more troops, and orders were issued for 
enlistments during the war. It was resolved that 
all officers should have half-pay for life. 

The two armies went into winter-quarters in 
nearly the same position occupied by them in 1779. 



CHAPTER VL 

CAMPAIGN OF 1781 



^^^^ .^ 1. At no period during the war were the prospects 
SSe'^Jf of ^he Americans more gloomy than at the com- 
penpsyi- niencement of 1781. On the first of January, 1,300 
troops in Pennsylvania troops, rendered desperate by their 
sufferings, and contending, that they were detained 
beyond their time of service, declared their inten- 
tion to march in a body to Philadelphia, and de- 
mand redress for all their grievances. They mu- 
tinied, because their sufferings were intolerable, and 
to show that they were still firm friends to their 
country, they cheerfully returned to duty when their 
Bi?Henty grievauccs were only in part redressed. Sir Henry 
offer Clinton offered them remuneration, if they would 

them 1 ^ "^ 

join his forces, but they indignantly scorned his 



CHap. Vf. ROBERT MORRIS. 



337 



offers, and delivered over the emissaries sent from usi 
his camp to Wayne, who executed them as spies. 

2. A similar mutiny was undertaken by the New whatu 
Jersey troops, and as this state of things became the New 
alarming, Washington determined to punish them troops? 
severely, as a warning to others. Two of the ring- 
leaders were shot by the most guilty of the muti- 
neers. This was a most painful task ; being cul- ^^^ 
prits themselves, they were greatly distressed, and ^f^ 
when ordered to load, many of them shed tears. It ed?^**' 
was important that the spirit of revolt should be 
effectually repressed, or the ruin of the army was 
inevitable. what ef 

forts 

3. Congress now felt, that the sufferings of the ^|^® ^^ 
troops were indeed pitiable, and unprecedented Soney? 
efforts were made to raise money and supply the 
wants of the army. Taxes were imposed, and 
cheerfully acquiesced in. A commissioner was sent 

to Europe to negotiate loans of money, and a large 
amount of gold and silver was introduced by a bene- 
ficial trade with the Spanish West India Islands. 
During the year, the Bank of North America, the y^^^^^^^ 
oldest moneyed institution in the United States, was ^^^^xt 
established by a charter from Congress, under the ^"'"^' 
supervision of Robert Morris. To this distinguished 
patriot the army was greatly indebted, for he used 
his own ample private fortune and his personal 
credit, without hesitation, to sustain the govern- ^^gl""^' 
ment. The issuing of paper money was now dis- wl^W 
contmued, and the old contmentai bills ceased to cir- by the 

' ^ people / 

culate. Two hundred millions of paper dollars 
were made redeemable by five millions of silver, 
and this, with every other arrangement, was sub- 

15 



338 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Part II. 

IT81 mitted to without murmur, in the hope of a happier 

future. 

Where 4. The British enlarged their plan of operations, 

British^ and hostilities rasred not only around their head- 
carry on '-' •' 

^Zf- quarteis, at New York, but in Georgia, North and 

South Carolina, Virginia, and Connecticut. In the 

latter places, the traitor, Arnold, became notorious 

^^^^ for his plundering achievements as an incendiary 

wasdone ^^^ robbcr. Even in his native State, in the very 

"**^^' spot of his boyhood's home, he rested not in his 

work of destruction. 

5. The British, encouraged by their good fortune 
in the reduction of Savannah and Charleston, de- 
termined to advance into North Carolina. Aftei 
Who the unfortunate battle of Camden, Congress thought 

■ucceed- . ^ ^ 5 & J^ 

edGates? proper to appomt Gen. Greene as successor to Gen. 
Gates. Washington spoke in high terms of com- 
mendation of Gen. Greene, but added, what can a 
general do, without men, without arms, without 
clothes, stores, or provisions ? The southern army 
What is was at this time reduced to two thousand men, more 
the state than half of whom were militia. Although Gen, 

of the . 

»"ny? Greene's men were scantily clad, half-starved, and 
dispirited, destitute of arms and ammunition, the 
officers under his command were as brave men as 
ever,followed a leader. Morgan, Lee, Marion, Sum- 
ter, and Col. Washington, formed a group to which 
the British army could furnish no parallel. 

Why was 6. In order to procure subsistence for his army, 

dltilh- ^® ^®'^ ^^ ^^ distract and harass the enemy, Gen. 

'"^^ Greene was constrained to divide his army, by dis- 
patching Gen. Morgan to the western frontier of 
South Carolina. Morgan soon found employment 



(Jliap. VI. BATTLE OF COWPENS. 339 

Lord Cornwallis had made preparations for invad- i-^^gi 
ing North Carolinaj and was unwilling to leave an 
enemy in the rear. He therefore sent Tarleton, at^^j^^^^^^ 
the head of 1,100 men to dislodge him, and ^^push tIxx^ov 
him to the utmost P They met at Cowpens, on the ''®^^*^®' 
L7th January, and after one of the severest conflicts what is 

, . said of 

vitnessed in the war, Ta.leton was defeated with ^^^^f-' 
the loss of 300 men, killed and wounded, besides ^^Z\ 
500 prisoners, his artillery, and baggage. The 
Americans had only 12 killed and 60 wounded. 
The defeat of Tarleton was mortifyino: to himself, the^de" 

•^ ^ ' feat of 

and a surprise to Cornwallis ; and the loss of the TarietoiA 
light infantry crippled his movements during the 
campaign. 

The battle of Cowpens, it has been justly re- 
marked, proved, in the end, nearly as disastrous to 
CornwaUis as that of Bennington did to Burgoyne. 

7. Cornwallis now determined to take the field Y}}^^ 

move- 

in person, and, by vigorous exertion, he expected wis' 
soon to subdue the whole country south of Vir- comwa? 

Us? 

ginia. 

On the 19th of January, having destroyed all his 
superfluous baggage and all the wagons, except a 
few for necessary purposes, he commenced his re- 
markable pursuit of Morgan, who had moved oflT to 
Virginia with his prisoners. He marched with such 
rapidity that he reached the Catawba the evening 
of the same day on w^hich Morgan had crossed. 
Cornwallis, not doubting his ability to overtake the J^,^ 
adversary, halted for the night ; but, before morn- {jfe'To* 
ing^ the rain fell in torrents, the river was im- cXw-^® 
passable without boats, and these, the Americans 
had carefully removed to the other side. 



340 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Part II. 



1T81 8- The swelling of the river was regarded by the 
Howwas la^tter as a gracious interposition of God, as by it, the 
swelling enemy v/ere delayed about two days. During this 
river^re- time, Geu. Greene hearing of Morgan's victory, and 
Amert afterward of the rapid pursuit by CornwaUis, or- 
'*^"'*' dered the remainder of his troops to march to thei.* 
relief, while he, himself, with only two or three at- 
tendants, after a ride of 150 miles, arrived in Mor- 
gan's camp on the 31st of January. 
Describe 9- To understand the ground over which this re- 
ground markable retreat was performed, it is necessary only 
thfs re- ^^ glance at a map. Three large rivers rise in the 
made!^''^ uorth-wcst parts of North and South Carolina, and 
flow in a southerly course. The most southern is 
the Catawba. Greene and Morgan were now across 
the Catawba, approaching the Yadkin, which they 
passed on the evening of Feb. 2d, partly by fording, 
and partly by flats and boats, which were secured 
^ructed' on the other side. Here, again, it happened as at 
*hf Yad- ^^^ Catawba — the swelling of the river presented a 
*^^"- barrier to obstruct the enemy. This second inter- 
position in their behalf inspired them with fresh en- 
thusiasm in that cause which seemed to be the pe- 
culiar care of God. 

10. CornwaUis still determined to pursue, but the 
Americans toiled on, day after day, and night after 
Ame?K uight, wlthout 3, murmur, although many of them 
were only allowed three hours' sleep out of twenty- 
four, and but one meal a day. Pressing on through 
the wintry storm, most of them bare-foot, and with 
only one blanket for four men at night, drenched 
by the rains, and chilled by the vater through which 



What is 
«aid of 
the toils 
of the 
Amer 
cans ? 



Chap. VI. BATTLE OF GUILFORD COURT-HOUSPJ. 341 

they waded, they were obliged to dry their clothes itgi 
by the heat of their own bodies. 

11. CornwaUis determined to pursue still, hoping why was 
to overtake the Americans before they reached Vir- Hs^'de-^^' 

. . , . . 1 T-x 1 • 1 layed at 

gmia; but, arrivmg at the Dan, which separates the Dan? 
North Carolina from Virginia, he found the Ameri- 
cans had already passed, and a third time his army 
wa^ delayed ; the boats had been taken over and 
the river was unfordable. So clear an interposition S?s^rl?* 
of Providence was this, that the whole country by the 

' ^ Ameri- 

regarded it as a special mark of favor to the Amer- ^^"^• 
ican cause, and their hearts were cheered, as they 
thought of the future. So firm was their belief in 
this, that, although enduring severe sufferings dur- 
ing a retreat of more than 200 miles, not a single 
man deserted. 

12. As soon as Greene had rested, he recrossed 

the Dan with an army of about 4,500 men, and the^bat^^ 
on the iSth of March reached Guilford Court-house. Guilford 

Court- 
It was a lonely spot, not another house being in ^°"^®- 

sight, and a boundless forest on every side. On 

the day of Greene's arrival, CornwaUis attacked 

him. The battle was desperately fought for two 

hours, and all the advantages of victory were on what 

the side of the Americans. They lost about 400 JoSon* 

•^ both 

in killed and wounded ; the British nearly 600. ^^^^s? 
Notwithstanding CornwaUis claimed the victory, 
he retreated, closely pursued by Gen. Greene. 

13. CornwaUis avoided a battle, and retreated to whither 
Wilmington, where, after remaining three weeks, waiu?|Si 
he left the State and proceeded to Petersburgh, in 
Virginia. 

Gen. Greene moved toward South Carolina, to 



342 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Part 11 

1781 drive the British from their posts. At Hobkirk's 
^^ Hill, near Camden, the Americans v^ere attacked 
IheB^^ by nine hundred men, under Lord Rawdon. In 
Hob-^ the beginning of the action, victory inclined toward 
™^ the Americans, but they were at last compelled to 

retreat. Each army sustained an equal loss. 
What 14. During April and May, several British post 
in' the fell into the hands of the Americans. Marion am^. 

»isnds of 

Ameri- Lec Invested Fort Washington on the 15th of 
'*"*' April. Though provided with muskets and rifles 
only, they were successful, and one hundred and 
fourteen men surrendered, after a resistance of eight 
days. In rapid succession post after post surrender- 
ed to small bodies of troops, led on by Marion, 
Sumter, Lee, and Pickens. On the 3d of June, 
the British were confined to three posts. Ninety-six, 
Eutaw Springs, and Charleston. 
Sept- 8. 15, Lord Rawdon now resigned his command to 
xxTK * • Col. Stewart, and soon after returned to England. 

What IS ' o 

said of 



the bat- In the beginning of September, Col. Stewart took 

tie of Eu- 
taw 
Springs 1 



ta^w " post at Eutaw Springs, about 50 miles from 



Charleston. Greene, being joined by Marion, re- 
solved to attack them at once. The contest lasted 
nearly four hours, and great bravery was exhibited 
on both sides. The British were driven in confu- 
sion from the field, with the loss of eleven hundred 
men in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The Amer- 
icans lost over five hundred, of whom sixty were 
officers. 

16. The battle of Eutaw Springs was the las* 
general action in South Carolina ; the British 
abandoning the open country, retired to Charles- 
ton. 



Cliap. VI. CORNWALLIS AT YORKTOWN. 343. 

Coniwallis left North Carolina in April, and 1781 
arrived at Petersburgh, in Virginia, on the 20th of what is 



said of 



May. Having received several reinforcements, cfomw 
and formed a junction with the forces under Arnold hisarmy? 
and PhiUips, he flattered himself he should soon „,, 

^ '^ ^ Whywas 

subjugate this section of the country. Lafayette ^5e'L- 
had been dispatched with a small detachment from ^ viJ^"^ 
the mam army to watch the motions 01 the British. 
They were unable to hinder the enemy from de- 
stroying much valuable property.* 

17. Cornwallis soon after fortified himself at wa^s'^lhe 
Yorktown, on the south side of York river. Glou- SHhl"^ 

-f^ . . ^7- , • 1 1 British ill 

cester Point, opposite Yorktown, was occupied by Virginia? 
Tarleton. The British force in Virginia, at this 
time, was about seven thousand men. 

Washington had made active preparations to*^"'^^- 
form a junction with the French army, for the pur- y^^y j„, 
pose of making a combined attack on New York. 



Wash- 
in;?ton 

A letter was received from Count de Grasse, in-hispian 

' of attack 

forming Washington that he w^as about to leave '^Jrkl'^ 
France Avith his whole fleet and about three thou- 
sand two hundred land troops, for the Chesapeake. 
Washington immediately resolved to proceed to j^j ^^ 
Virginia. 

18. This movement metwMth the cordial co-oper- what 
ation of De Rochambeau, who was easrer for a accoin- 

^ ^ panied 

decisive action. They took with them the whole >]J^^on" to 
French army, and as many iVmericans as could be "^*"''^' 
spared from the posts on the Hudson. A show 

* It was estimated that in the coarse of the invasion of Corn- 
wallis, Arnold, Phillips, Leslie, and Collier, about 30,000 slaves 
were carried off from Virg nia, and property destroyed to the 
amour* of $15,000,000. 



344 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

1781 



Part II. 



What in- 
telli- 



of an intention to attack New York was still main- 
tained, and so completely was Sir Henry Clinton 
deceived, that it was not until the whole armv had 
crossed the Delaware, that he suspected the real 
object of the Americans. Clinton hoped still to 
draw off a part of their troops, and perhaps cause 
Washington to return. 

19. For this purpose he sent Arnold on a plun- 
dering expedition to Connecticut : but this manceu- 
vre did not effect its object. Washington and De 
Rochambeau pressed forward with the utmost 
gg„j.g alacrity. At Chester, their spirits were greatljr 
thlmll cheered, by the intelligence of the arrival of Admi- 
■ ral de Grasse, who, with a large fleet, blockaded 
When the Chesapeake, and prevented the escape of the 
S British by water. On the 25th of September, the 
town'? combined troops reached Lafayette's head-quarters 
at Williamsburgh,* and on the SOlh they marched 
in a body to invest Yorktown and Gloucester. 
What 20. The allied army consisted of about sixteen 

was the '' 

Sf^the"^ thousand troops. As the British force did not 
uwps? amount to half that number, CornwaUis would 
probably have abandoned Yorktown before its 
investment, had he not confidently expected rein- 
forcements from Chnton. 
Oct 6 ^ close siege was commenced, and carried on 
vigorously by the combined forces. During the 
sa^^p? siege, which lasted 17 days, two redoubts were 
ofYorlf.® stormed simultaneously — one by a party of light 
infantry, headed by Lafayette and Col. Hamilton ; 

♦ So complete was the discipline of this army, that during theii 
march of 500 miles, scarcely an apple or peach was taken with 
out the consent of the inhabitants. 



UHap. VI. SURREKDER OF CORNWALLIS. 345 

the other by a detachment of French grenadiers, i-^si 
under De Viomenil. " 

21. Finding his situation a desperate one, and ^^^1^.1 
farther resistance of no avail, Cornwallis was cornwau 
obhged to surrender his whole army, amounting to ohuged 
seven thousand. The British lost nearly six hun- 
dred killed ; the Americans three hundred. On 

the 19th of October, the articles of capitulation ^^^ ^^^^ 
were signed, and Gen. Lincoln was selected by dlJThe 
Washington to receive the sword of Cornwallis, on 5"^^"" 
the same terms which the latter had, eighteen 
months before, received Lincoln's submission, at 
Charleston. 

22. About 12 o'clock the combined army was oesmbe 

, . , . , . , . , the scene 

drawn up m two Inies, extendma: more than a mile of the 

^ ^ ' J-' capituJa- 

in length, the Americans on the right side of the road, ^^®"' 
with Washington at their head, and the French on 
the left, headed by Count Rochambeau A con- 
course of spectators assembled from the country, 
in numbers equal to the military. Every face 
beamed joy, but universal silence prevailed. About 
two o'clock the captive army advanced between 
the lines, with slow step, shouldered arms, and 
colors cased. Cornwallis, vexed and mortified, was 
unable to endure the humiliation of marching 
at the head of his garrison, and made Gen. O'Hara 
his substitute. Tarleton's troops, at Gloucester, 
surrendered at the same time to the command of 
the French general, De Choise. 

23. The amount of artillery and military stores what 
captured was very considerable — 75 brass and 169 ofmiuta- 

1 "^ ry stores 

iron cannon, 7,794 muskets, 28 standards, and 2,113 J^len? 
pounds sterling taken fiom the military chest. 

15* 



346 REVOLIiTIONARY WAR. Part II, 

j^gj Lord Cornwallis and his officers, after their capitu- 
■ latioi , received many civiKties from Washington" 

and other general officers, for which they returned 

grateful acknowledgements. 
What 24. The surrender of Cornwallis sent a thrill of 

vas 
rained 
)y the 



gained joy through the country, and was the most decisive 



mation 

was 

8ued? 



J'^7f"' event in our glorious war. The territory of the 
thirteen States was now restored to the jurisdiction 
of Congress, and the contest decided in favor of 
America. When intelligence of this brilliant suc- 

Howwas ^ ^ 

news re- ^^^^ ^^^^ rcceivcd by Congress, the aged doorkeeper 
by "con- fell down and expired through excess of joy. Gen. 
Washington ordered divine service to be performed 
in the different brigades of the army, and the Mem- 
bers of Congress marched in procession to church, 
and there publicly offered up thanksgiving to God 
for the signal success of the American arms. 
JtocL 25. A proclamation was issued for rehgiously 
?s- observing throughout the United States the 13th 
of December as a day of thanksgiving and prayer. 
The many instances in which God's interposing 
wi^pub. ^^^^ was clearly seen were recounted. They pub- 
firmei^' licly affirmed that " it was God, whose voice com- 
mands the winds, the seas, and the seasons, who 
formed a junction at the same time between a for- 
midable fleet from the South, and an army rushing 
from the North like an impetuous torrent. Who 
but He could so combine the circumstances which 

* On one occasion, while in the presence of Gen. Washing 
ton, Lord Cornwallis was standing with his head uncovered, 
his excellency said to him | jlitely, " My lord, you had better be 
covered from the cold." His lordship, applying his hand to his 
head, replied, " // matters not, sir, what becomes of this head noic,^* 



Cliap. \1. CLOSE OP THE WAR. 347 

led to success? ^ The unparalleled perseverance |^q2 
of the armies of the United States through almost " 

every possible suffering and discouragement, for the 
epace of eight long years,' Washington declared to 
be ' little short of a startling miracle.' " It has been 
estimated that the loss of life during the war, in the 
United States armies, was not less than seventy 
thousand. The number who died on board the 
prison ships of the enemy cannot be calculated. 
No. less than eleven thousand died on board the 
Jersey prison-ship ! These facts, with the whole 
story of our American revolution, should be handed 
down to posterity, that they may know the high 
price their fathers paid for freedom. 

26. The people of Great Britain became clamor- whatdid 
ous for peace, and, at last, after much hesitation Britain 
and discussion on the part of the British Govern- to"do^® 
ment, they concluded to abandon the attempt to 
subjugate the United States. 

Much firmness and wisdom were shown by what is 

•^ said of 

Messrs. Jay, Franklin. Adams, and Laurens, our ^l^^^. 
Commissioners, and through their negotiations, the when"** 
preliminary articles of peace were settled at Paris, where 

* •^ A ' was the 

on the 30th of November, 1782, and in September, ^^^^^^^ 
1783, a formal treaty was signed. By this treaty ^'^"^^' 
Great Britain acknowledged tlie independence and nsa. 
sovereignty of the United States. 

27. Thus the Americans obtained a high reward 
for their toils, and a sanctuary sacred to civil and 
religious liberty, was opened in the western hemi- 

1 What Is 

Bpneie. eaid of 

The patriot army was now to be disbanded. Jition of 

^ *' the army 

Once more, fathers and husbands were free to re- \l^^^ 



348 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Part II 



IT 83 t^rn to their own fire-sideSj but they must go in ex- 
treme poverty. Many of them had not received 
yvjj.jj any compensation for five years. Anonymous let- 
we?e^ ters were circulated tending to inflame their minds 
promote and induco them to insist on a forcible redress of 

theirdis- 

amfhdvv gi'ievances. Washington soothed them by kind 
thei? words and promises, and in his farewell address 
changed? appealed to the nobler sentiments of the heart. On 
the 3d of November, still glowing with patriotism, 
they separated, resolved to endure all necessary 
When Pnvations. 

bAL^^ 28. On the 25th November the British evacuated 
kXLI New York. 

When On the 4th of Dec, Washington, with a heart full 
Wash- of love and gratitude, bade his officers adieu. It was a 

nigton 

itave of d^^P'y affecting scene, and men, who had braved the 
cers^^" horrors of many a battle, now, as they approached 
De^scribe Washington, were melted to tears, and incapable 
scene, ^f utterance. 

whatdid Washington then proceeded to Annapolis, the 
Wash- /. ,>f . , . V . 

Edoi ^^^^ ^^ Congress, to resign his commission as 

commander-in-chief of the armies of the United 



States. 
What 29. At the close of the war, the debt of the United 

was the ' 

Srihi''" States was estimated at forty millions of dollars. 
at"thT They were not able to pay the interest, and many 

close of . -^ _ , ^ -^ , 1 , 

thfi war? incurred great losses, (congress had not the power 
to provide means for discharging debts, incurred 
during the war. During this disorganized state of 
the general government, attempts were made in 
some of the States to satisfy their creditors. The 
What of attempt of Massachusetts to effect this by levying a 
rebdfion? heavy tax produced an insurrection among the peo- 



cnap. VI. CONSTITUTION ADOPTED. 349 

pie, usually styled Shays'^ insurrection^ from the lyg^ 
leader of the insurgents, Daniel Shays. 

30. In May, 1787, deputies from each of the ^^^^ 
States, except Rhode Island, assembled atPhiladel- where 
phia, for the purpose. of forming a new constitution. iTewcon- 

r^ ' . stitution 

After four months' deliberation, they presented the adopted? 
Constitution to the several States, and finally it was 
adopted. 

The blessings of civil and religious libertv are what 

° . . " were 

guarantied to the people, and one of its chief excel- ftTfea^ 
lences is, that it contains a provision for future ^"^^^" 
amendments. The executive power is vested in a 
President and Vice President, and the legislative 
in a Senate and House of Representatives, all chosen 
by the people. 

31. The same Providence that granted victory wi.atare 
to our fathers jn the hour of battle, ffave them wis- eluding 

' <=> remarks* 

dom, in a day of peace, to devise means of secur- 
ing to their children the independence they had 
won. May their posterity, to the latest generation, 
daily look to the Giver of every good and perfect gift 
for wisdom, that they may enjoy the blessings of a 
free and happy people^ whose God is the Lord. 




GKA\ GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



PART III. 



IT 89 



When 
and 
where 
was 
Wash- 
ington 
bum? 



FROM THE FORMATION OF THE FEDERAL CONST! 
TUTION TO THE CLOSE OF THE HISTORY. 

CHAPTER L 

ADMINISTRATION OF WASHINGTON, 

FROM 1789 TO 1797. 

HE name of George Washing- 
ton calls up many thrilling 
emotions in the mind of every 
/^^Ill^t.AM^v American citizen. He was the 
third son of Augustine Wash- 
ington, born on the 22d of Feb- 
ruary, 1732, near the banks of 
the Potomac, in Westmoreland county. Virginia. 




Cliap. I. GEORGE WASHINGTON. 351 

2. His father, in 1730, married, for his second it89 
wife, Miss Mary Ball, by whom he had four sons, what is 
George, John, Samuel, and Charles, and one daugh- his femi 
ter, Betty. His great grandfather, John Washing- 
ton, emigrated from the north of England about 

(he year 1657, and settled on the place where Wash- 
ington was born. 

3. At the age often he lost his father. His mother ^^aus 
now became his sole guardian, and early instilled {^|ch- 
into his mind those principles of religion and virtue hlf ^ 
which formed the solid basis of a character that 

has been the admiration of statesmen and philoso- 
phers wherever the name of the American republic 
is known. It was the teaching of that sainted 
mother, which prepared his mind for those scenes 
of strife and turmoil, through which he had to pass, 
and which made him a fit instrument in the hands 
of Providence, for sundering the chains of slavery, 
and guiding his country over the stormy sea of war 
into the harbor of peace and liberty. He was re- For what 

*■ "^ was he 

markable, in his younger years, for his strict ad- b1^^^^*' 
herence to truth, and for the fond affection which 
he bore to his mother. 

4. Stimulated by the enthusiasm of military ge- what 
nius, at the early a^e of fifteen, he had obtained a ed him 

' JO 7 ^ from en 

midshipman's warrant to enter the English navy. Jhe"^^. 
His trunk was already in the boat, but as he went iy*]"^' 
to give his mother a parting kiss, he saw the tears 
roll down her cheeks ; he ordered his trunk back, 
and determined not to go. Four years after, he was what of 
appointed adjutant-general of Virginia, with the tlll'tfme 
rank of maior. From that time, his history is the election 

^ -" "^ to the 

history of his country. General Washmg^ton's elec- §emly ? 



352 Washington's administration. 



Part III. 



IT 89 ^lon to the office of chief magistrate of the United 
States, was announced to him at Mount Vernon, on 
the 14lh of April, 1789. 
When 5. On the 30th of April, he appeared before Con- 
where ffress, then assembled in the City of New York, 

was he ^ ' . . "^ ' 

rafe"dT ^^^ taking the required oath of office, was pro 

claimed President of the United States, 
whatdid Ii^ ^^ impressive address to both Houses, he 
hfsTd"-'" expressed a sense of his own unfitness for the high 

d KG ss on. 

thatoc- office to which he had been called. He declined all 

casion? 

pecuniary compensation for his presidential duties, 
and concluded by invoking the blessing of that Al- 
mighty Being who rules over the universe, praying 
that He would consecrate to the liberties and hap- 
piness of the people of the United States, a govern- 
ment instituted by themselves, and that He would 

whEtdid bless all engaged in its administration. 

gressdo 6. After the address, both Houses adjourned, and, 

after the , ' . 

address? ^yith the President, attended diviuc worship. They 
felt that God had carried them through a long and 
arduous war, and to Him they must still look for 

In what support and protection. 

was Con- * ^ ^ ^ ^ 

pdnci- Congress was principally employed, during its 
gaged^"^* first session, in providing revenues for the exhausted 
the first treasury, and in establishing and arranmnsr the 

session? "^ ' ^ . 

diflferent public offices. Three executive depart- 
Howma- jjients wcrc organized to assist the president in 
ments Carrying out the plans of government. These were a 
ganized, sccrctarv of state, of the treasury, and of the war 

and who -^ ' . 

pointed' department— the offices to be filled by appointment 
to each? Qf |[3g president. Thomas Jeflferson was appointed 
Of what to the state department, Hamilton to the treasury, 

(lid the -t T7- 1 

judiciary aud Ivnox to thc war. 

':oJislst7 



Chap. I. FIRST CONGRESS. 353 

7. A national judiciary was constituted, consist- it89 
ing of a supreme court, having one chief justice 

and several assoc ate judges. John Jay was ap- 
pointed chief justice, and Edward Randolph attor- 
ney-general. How 
Several amendments to the Constitution were amen.i 

ments to 

proposed, and subsequently ratified by the States, s^ft^lion 
making it acceptable to all. North Carolina and ^^^^^''^^' 
Rhode Island, shortly after, adopted the Constitu- 
tion, forming the thirteen original States. Howwas 

a reve- 

8. To provide a revenue, duties were laid on theim- nuepro- 

1 ' vided 1 

portation of merchandise and the tonnage of vessels. 

The second session of Congress commenced Jan. 1790. 
8th, 1790. Mr. Hamilton, Secretary of the Treas- 

' ' -^ What 

ury, proposed that government should not only as- ^^''^ii^ 
sume its own foreign and domestic debts, amount- ISe'^^om- 
ins: to more than fifty-four millions of dollars, but mem of 

» •^ ■'the next 

also that which several States contracted during If^'con- 
the war, estimated at twenty-five millions. ^'^^^" 

9. The plan of Mr. Hamilton was finally adopted. Avhat 
To cancel these several debts, the proceeds of pub- adopted 

^ ^ 'to cancel 

lie lands, lying in the western territory, were di- ^J^%^,^i 
rected to be applied, and the president was author- ''^^^' 
ized to contract a loan of two millions of dollars. 

10.. This measure laid the foundation for that whatdid 
unrivaled prosperity, which the United States en- gj^f^ure 
joyed in subsequent years. 

On the 18th day of February, 1791, Vermont, by ^^^*- 
consent of Congress, became one of the United ^hen 
States, and on the 1st of June, in the succeeding Vermont 

T^ 11 /» -rr. • . 11 ^"^ Ken. 

year, Kentucky, then part of Vn-gmia, was also ad- ^^f^H^' 
mitted into the Union. '^Xn? 

11. In thi^ year, a bill for the establishment of a 



354 WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION. ^^^^ m, 

1*^91 national bank was introdiiced into Congress, which 
What passed after a strong debate. The bank was to be 
tfut%'ii\ situated at Philadelphia, the capital stock to be ten 
th^ycar, milUons of dollars, two millions to be subscribed foi 

ari(] what 

were its i\^q benefit of the United States, and the residue by 
What' individuals. This year the first census of the in- 
wmia-^ habitants of the United States was taken. They 
iiuhed amounted to 3,921,326. 

states at . 

time? 1^- While matters of high importance were occu- 

whowas py^^^? the attention, and party strife w^as filling the 
dj^spatch- ^Q^J^(.^lg Qf Congress with agitation, an Indian war 
the in- broke out upon the north-western frontier. Pacific 

dians, * 

hovv^S overtures being rejected. General Harmer was dis- 
iiy men? pg^^^]^^^] agalust the Indians with an army of 1400 
was%he men. Having burnt a number of Indian villages, 
1790 he was finally defeated in two successive battles, 
r« near Chilicothe, in Ohio. 

>vhom ' 

was the 



com 
mand 



13. Additional troops were raised, and the com- 
then" mand of the whole given to Gen. St. Clair. With 

ffiven 

andw'hat 2,000 uieu, lie marched, in October, into the wil- 

success ' ' ^ ' 

mee^® demess. On the 3 J of November, he was surprised 

"^^791 in camp, near the Miami, and defeated with great 

thif de- slaughter, leaving nearly GOO men dead on the field. 
feat^who i^ ^f^^j. ^^^ ^^fg^^ ^f g^^ Ql^j^.^ Qgj^ Wayne 

Sd, was appointed to carry on the war. On the 20th 

and how 

ficceed? ^^ August, 1794, with an army of 3,000 men, he 
met the Indians near tlie rapids of Maumee, and 
completely routed them, and laid waste their coun- 
try. In 1795 a treaty was completed at Grenville, 
which gave peace to the inhabitants. 

In the autumn of 1792 Gen. Washington was re- 
elected president, and inducted into ofiicein March, 
1793. Mr. Adams was re-elected vice president. 



Cliap. 1, TREATY WITH ENGLAND. 355 

15. About this time the revolution, which had for 1793 
some time convulsed France, resulted in the fall of 

the monarchy, and the establishment of a republi- 
can government on its ruins. 

16. M. Genet, the minister of the new govern- ^hen 
ment, arrived at Charleston in April of this year. French 

r^ .. r 1 r ii«i /»!• • ministet 

Our citizens, grateful for the kindness of his nation, arrive, 

•' c5 J and how- 

received him with the most extravagant marks of Zlli^edi 
public attachment. Flattered by these demonstra- 
tions of reorard, he fitted out privateers from our he en- 

... ^. . _, , deavor 

ports to cruise against the enemies of France, and ^o^"? 
sought to embark the American people in the cause 
of his country, whatever might be the determina- 
tion of government. As he persisted in his en- 
deavors, in opposition to the remonstrances of the whywas 
administration, France, at the request of the presi- called i 
dent, annulled his powers, and he was succeeded 
in the following year by M. Fauchet. 

17. About this time, a war was apprehended be- 1794. 
tween the United States and Eno^land. The Ameri- }^?i7^« 

o a war ap- 

cans were accused of preventing loyalists from re- ed^^be-^* 
gaining possession of their estates, and the English Engfand 
of making illegal seizures of American property at ^^"^^-^^ 
sea, and of holding possession of military posts, on ^^'"^' 
the western frontiers. Mr. Jay was sent to Eng- °J* 
land, where he concluded a treaty with the British t^Enl"* 
government. In the spring of 1795 he returned. Suats 

18. His treaty, which was adopted by the gov- j^^g 
ernment, provided that the western posts be surren- June. 
dered to the United States ; compensation be made we^^f ti,*, 
for illegal captures of American property, and Brit- Eof 
ish creditors were to be secured the means of col- treaty 
lecting debts, contracted prior to the revolution. 



356 WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION. part III. 

1T9T Treaties were also made with the western In- 
^^itj, dianSj with Algiers, and with Spain. By the latter, 
othll the Mississippi was made the western boundary^ 
were but a liffht to its navio^ation, and the use of New 

treaties ^ o J 

fntof ^ Orleans, as a place of deposit, secured to the United 

States. 
wilTen 19. In June, 1796, Tennessee was admitted into 
admitted the Union. As the period for a new election of 

into the * 

Union? president of the United States drew near, Washing- 
waih ' ton signified to the nation his determination of re- 
retii'e to ^ii'i'^g ^"^^ private life. He longed for that repose 
WJatthe ill the seclusion of Mount Vernon, far from the 
hiJTerm cares of public life, to which, for so many years, he 

had been a stranger. 
whaUs 20. His farewell address, on his retiring from the 
weiud- presidential chair, breathed the warmest affection 
for his country. He besought them to frown indig- 
nantly on any attempt at the separation of the Union, 
to discard local attachments and sectional animosi- 
ties. The candidates for the office of president were 
Who John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. The result 

were the 

dlte^s'for w^® the choice of Mr. Adams as president, and Mr. 

denTand Jcffcrson as vicc president. Mr. Adams was inaug- 

Secte^T urated on the 4th of March, 1797. Washington 

retired to Mount Vernon, there to spend in rest and 

How ^ ^ A , 

wSh-^ quiet the remainder of his life ; but that life which 
H'feTfter had bccu dcvotcd to his country was drawing near 
ffom"^ its close. Only two years of repose were allowed 

omce? 1.11 1 

him, when he was taken away to that eternal rest 

prepared for the good. 

21. Riding out one day, on horseback, to visit his 
he^^n-^ f^rm, he was overtaken by a storm, which chilled 
dSease' him thiough. A cold followed, which, settling in 



Cliap. I. DEATH OF WASHINGTON. 35? 

his throatj hurried him rapidly to the grave. The 1^99 
efforts of his physicians to arrest the disease were T* 
powerless, and it was soon evident to all, that his jjeg^ribe 
hours were drawing to a close. His breathing g^s^'l'^" 
became laborious, yet he bore all with Christian 
resignation. ^^ I die hard^'' said he, ^^hut I am not 
afraid to die, I believed, from the first, that I could 
not survive it. My breath cannot last loner." Some saH of 

•^ ^ his Jaat 

hours before his death, after repeated efforts to be ^**"^^^ 
understood, he succeeded in expressing a desire 
that he might be permitted to die without interrup- 
tion. 

22. He sunk gradually aw^ay, and on the night 

of the 14th of December, 1799, two days after his whatw 
attack, he ceased to breathe. Not in the delirium them%- 
of fight, upon the battle field, did his soul take its ^epth? 
flight, but calmly departed amid the lamentations 
of a heart-broken people. 

23. Solemn ceremonies attended the funeral, and 
thousands followed the slow procession, but the ^^at 
mourners were not all there — they were scattered elect ft 
on every hill and aloner every valley of the land, on the 

•' o «' ./ nation > 

Minute guns were fired, as his body was borne to 
the place of burial, and his old war-horse, saddled 
and bridled, walked riderless beside the coffin. 
That noble steed he could mount no more, and 
to that cold cheek, the loud-pealing cannon could 
never again send the blood, as of yore. His w^ork 
was done, his fierce battles over, and, crowned with 
the noblest laurels ever worn by created brow, the 
more than kingly sleeper w^as laid in his last 
resting-place. The land was hung in crape, and 
one convulsive sob shook the lieart of the nation. 



358 ADAMS' ADMINISTRATION. Part III 

tT99 No people ever mourned a leader so, and no leader 
w4iatdid ^^^ ^^^1' worthy such sorrow. Even the young 
Kn® republic of France, then wading in blood, put on 
theintei- craoe, and imposing ceremonies were iecreed in his 
honor by the young Napoleon. 

24. I would speak of his many noble acts, but his 
What whole life was noble. Criticism was baffled, slan- 

fcie the ^ ' ^ ^ 

d?n|rc. der struck dumb, and even emulation rebuked in his 
"^'^^^' presence. I would speak of his boyhood — but he 
was one of those great minds, that never had a boy- 
hood. Morally and intellectually, he was a man from 
his youth up. Can it be that Washington is dead ? 
No ! 

■' The woods are peopled with his fame ; 
His memory wraps the dusky mountaiiij 
His spirit sparkles o'er the fountain ; 
The meanest rill, the mightiest river, 
Roll mingling with his name/<?r ever P 



CHAPTER 11. 

ADAMS' ADMINISTRATION. 

FROM MARCH 4TH, 1797, TO MARCH 4TH, 1801. 

When 1. John Adams was bom at Q^uincy, in Massa- 
was Aci- chusetts, on the 19th of October, 1735. He was the 
bwn? son of John Adams, and the fourth in descent from 
Henry Adams, who fled from persecution in England. 
What is In 1755, he graduated at Harvard College, and 
studles^^ four years afterward commenced the practice of 
rami&? law in Braintree. In 1764, he married the daugh- 



Chap. II. FRENCH RESOLUTIONS. 359 

ter of Rev. Wm. Smith, of Weymouth, by whom 1797. 
he had four children, one of whom, the Hon. 
John Quincy Adams, also became President of 
the United States. He early manifested a strong 
interest in the welfare of the colonies. 

2. He was a delegate to the first general Con- Give the 
g-ress, and was re-elected to the second. On the events 

^ ' in his lite 

6th of May, 1776, he introduced a resolution into ellciiL 
Congress, which was in fact a declaration of inde- dlnt.^^^' 
pendence. Near the close of the war he was ap- 
pointed minister to England, and succeeded in 
negotiating a peace. He then returned to his 
country, and was elected for two successive terms 
:o the office of vice president, when he left that 
^hair to fill the presidential. 

3. Shortly after the commencement of Mr. J^^^J^J^,. 
Adams' administration, the French Directory, dis- a?p?e 
pleased with the strict neutrality which this coun- France 

* ... about 

try had observed during its war with England, ^^^^^ 
and also on account of the treaty of peace, which 
had been recently entered into between England 
and the United States, adopted resolutions highly 
injurious* to the American commerce, and refused 
to receive Mr. Pinckney, the American minister, un- 
til the United States complied with their demands. 

4. On the receipt of this intelliscence the Presi- wha*- 
dent issued his proclamation to convene Congress did^l^" 
on the 15th of June. In his speech on that occa- makef ^ 
sion, he stated the unprovoked insult of the French ][^^^ 
government, yet still manifested a desire for peace. Slento 
Three envoys were accordingly sent to France, but about a 

•^ '-^ '^ ' peace' 

the French Directory refused to receive them, and ^^^ ^.^ 
ordered two of them to leave the country. ftl^i^^ 



360 ADAMs' ADMINISTRATION. 



Part 111. 



1T9T 5. During these transactionSj open war continued 
How was to be made by the cruisers of France on Ameri- 
regardfd can commerce, the flag of the United States being 
Franco cousidercd a sufficient justification for the capture 

^^^- of any vessel over which it waved. Congress at 
Sigrfss length, after these repeated insults and injuries, 
tesolif determined to place the country in a state of de- 

todo? ^ . '' , 

fense. General Washington was appointed com- 
mander-in-chief of the land forces, the capture of 
French vessels was authorized, and all treaties with 
France declared void. 

6. The French government witnessing these 
preparations for war, signified to the President their 
willingness to accommodate difliculties on reasona- 
1799. • ble terms. Three envoys were accordingly ap- 
pointed, who proceeded to Paris ; but on their 
arrival there, they found the government in the 
hands of Bonaparte. With him they commenced 
negotiations, which terminated in a treaty of peace, 
Sept. 30th, 1800. 
When 7. On the 14th of December, Gen. Washins^ton 

did ' C5 

hi'gton' breathed his last at Mount Vernon, in Virginia. 

On the arrival of the news of his death at Phila- 

what delphia, Congress immediately adjourned. On the 

cSSgreis following day it was resolved, " that the President be 

adopt? I'equested to write a letter of condolence to Mrs. 

Washington ; that a monument be erected by the 

United States, at the city of Washington, and that 

it be recommended to the citizens of the United 

States to wear crape on the left arm for thirty days." 

These resolutions passed unanimously, and the 

whole nation appeared in mourning. The funeral 

procession at the city of Washington was grand 



CJiap. II, ADAMs' RETIREMENT. 361 

and solemrij and the eloquent oration delivered by isoa 
Gen. Hemy Lee, was listened to with the deepest 
interest. 

8 In the summer of 1800, the seat of government ^^w 
was removed to the city of Washington, and in the ^curred 
same year the western portion of Georgia was^"^^^^' 
erected into a district government, and called the 
Mississippi Territory. 

9. On the return of the period for the presidential who 

were thfl 

election, the nation was divided into two great po- H^^^'^j. 
htical parties, the republican and the federal. The aP'the"* 
federalists supported Mr. Adams and Gen. Pinck- eiecHoni 
ney ; the republicans Mr. Jefferson and Col. Burr. 
After a warmly contested election, the republican 
candidates obtained a majority ; but, as Mr. Jeffer- 
son and Col. Burr received the same number of 
votes, the choice of president devolved on the 
House of Representatives. After thirty-five trials, ^^^^ 
during which the nation felt the most intense solici- ^'^^^^"^^ 
tude, Mr. Jefferson was chosen. Col. Burr, by a 
provision of the Constitution, became, of course, 
vice president. 

10. Mr. Adams retired from the arena of public whatu 

*■ Paul ot 

hfe to the quiet of his home in Q^uincy. He lived [Rosing 
long enough to see his son raised to the high- of^ir. 
est oiiice m the gift or a free people, and durmg 
his administration died. The 4th of July, 1826, 
the day on which he breathed his last, completed 
half a century since he had set his name to that 
Declaration, which was to bring peace to his coun- 
try or a halter to his own neck. Only two, besides 
himself, of that band of heroes then lived. Being re- 
quested, a few days before his death, to give a toast 

1() 



362 Jefferson's administration. Part hi. 

1801 foi' the 4tli of July, he gave "Independence for 



ever." 



Dnscribe 11. As the iiioming was ushered in by the ring 



his 



death, ing of bells and the pealing of cannonj he was 
asked if he knew what day it was. "Oh yes," 
said he, "it is the glorious fourth of July. God 
bless it, God bless you all." His last words were, 
" Jefferson survives ;" and at about one o'clock his 
spirit took its flight. He was a man of strong 
powers of mind, and an ardent lover of liberty. In 
early life he devoted himself to the cause of his coun- 
try, and his declining years were cheered with a 
view of that country's happiness and prosperity. 



CHAPTER III. 

JEFFERSON'S ADMINISTRATION. 

FROM MARCH 4TH, 1801, TO MARCH 4TH, 1809. 

1. Thomas Jefferson was born on the 2d day of 
April, 1743, at Shadwell, in Albemarle county, Vir- 
ginia. He was educated at the college of William 
and Mary, in Williamsburgh. At the age of 
twenty-one he was admitted to the bar, and in the 
following year chosen a representative to the pro- 
jg vincial legislature. From early youth his mind was 
^^A0iy imbued with liberal political sentiments. On one 
toentsi of his scals he had engraved, "Resistance to ty- 
rants is obedience to God." 

2 On the 21st of June, 1775, Mr. Jefferson took 



What 
said 
his ci 
■enti 



Chap. III. OFFICIAL CAREER OF JEFFERSON. 363 

his seat in the general Congress, then in session at isoi 
Philadelphia, and immediately became one of its what is 
most distinofuished members. In the following jlfferso» 

. /.IT . ^ in the 

summer, the various expressions of public sentiment gnf ^i 
showed, that the time had arrived for a final and fj^gf' 
entire separation from Great Britain. Mr. Adams 
and Mr. Jefferson were appointed to draft a declara- were ap 

*■ ^ pointed 

tion to that effect. The Declaration of Independ- ^^Jf^Jl^ 
ence, at the urgent solicitation of Mr. Adams, was fnTepen 
prepared by Mr. Jefferson, and so faultless was it 
found, when it came from his hands, that, with one whose 
or two alterations, it was adopted on the 4th of ^^^p^^l^ 
July, 1776. 

3. In June, 1779, he was elected governor of Vir- J!l!ibifcof. 
ffinia, and re-elected the next year. In 1783, he m^ jef- 

^ ' . -^ ' . ferson 

was again elected delegate to Congress from Vir-^*^- 
ginia, and, in the following year, appointed, in con- 
nection with Mr. Adams and Dr. Franklin, minister 
plenipotentiary, for the purpose of negotiating trea- 
ties. Returning to the United States in 1782, he 
was appointed secretary of state by General Wash- 
ington. At the next presidential election, he was what 
elected vice president, and on the succeeding one, was " 

president of the United States. dpafoffi- 

4. At the commencement of Mr. Jeffersons's ad- "^^^ o^ 

govern- 

ministration, the principal offices of government JSI^com- 

were transferred to the republican party, and many mllt%f 

1 •. . • . -. . . this ad- 

unpopular acts, passed during the previous aJ minis- {fo^,'^"^ 

tration, repealed. when 

5. In 1802, the State of Ohio was admitted luto admitted 

^ m the 

the Union. Slavery was entirely excluded from U"^«"- 
this extensive region. In the same year Spain ^ere 
ceded Louisiana to France, and the Spanish intend- an^f^" 



364 Jefferson's administration, p^rt iii. 

1802 ^^^ announced to the United States that they could 
no longet deposit their merchandise, (fee, in the 
port of New Orleans. Great was the excitement 
throughout the western- States on this violatioi^ 
of a solemn engagement. They apprehended a de- 
struction of their commerce, and advised a resort to 
arms. But a more pacific course was adopted, and 
in 1803 the whole territory of Louisiana was pur 
chased of France for $15,000,000. 

1804. ^ J 7 . 

What 6. In 1804 Gen. Alexander Hamilton was killed 

Bad event . i , ^ , t-» 

rni804^'^ in a duel, fought with Aaron Burr, Vice President 

Who of the United States. His death caused a deep sen- 
were 1 

president sation amoug both his personal and political friends. 

p?esi^*^^ In the fall of this year Jefferson was re-elected pres- 
ident, and George Clinton, of New York, was chosen 
vice president. 

What is 7. Since 1801, a war had existed between the 

Baid of ^ 

Tripoli? Uj^ited States and Tripoli, one of the Barbary pow- 
ers. These powers were nations of professed 
pirates, respecting no flag, capturing vessels of 
every nation, excepting those which paid to them 
an annual tribute. This tribute had long been 
paid by the United States, with many other nations^ 
but, at length, the American republic determined to 
resist, and declared war against Tripoli. 

8. In 1803, a squadron, under Commodore Preble, 

was sent to the Mediterranean to bring the corsairs 

to submission. Capt. Bainbridge, in the Philadel- 

were phia, jomed Com. Freble ; but, in chasing a cruiser 

th?Trl i"^^ ^he harbor of Tripoh, grounded his vessel, and 

pohtans? j^^ ^^^ J y^Iq crew were taken prisoners. The officers 

what were treated as prisoners of war, but the crew 

cliained and compelled to labor as slaves. 



eucoess ? 



CHap. III. AVAR WITH TRIPOLI. 365 

9. The TripolitanSj soon after, got the Philadel- iso'i 
phia afloat, and warped her into the outer harbor. 

In this situation, Lieut, (afterward Commodore) 1304. 
Decatur conceived the daring plan of setting her Feb. 3. 
on file. Choosing twenty men, and a pilot, Avho Avhat 
understood the Tripoli tan language, he approached ^'^^/^JJ^^. 
the Philadelphia under the cover of evening, and, Lieut 
at the first onset, swept the deck of every Tripoli- ^^'''^^"'■' 
tan, set the ship on fire, and, under a heavy can- 
nonade from the surrounding vessels and batteries, 
escaped out of the harbor without the loss of a sin- 
gle man. 

10. In consequence of the burnino^ of the Phila- Howwas 

^ ^ this re- 

delphia, the sufferings of the Americans in Tripoli lf\ll 
were greatly increased. To compel the Bashaw to ians?^* 
release them, the government authorized Capt. who was 

' o r sent from 

William Eaton to unite with Hamet, an expelled {^sSes 
bashaw, to assist him to regain his former station, matted 

11. With a small force, consisting of seamen ^^^^• 
from the American squadron, the followers of Ha- ^^^at 
met, and some Egyptian troops. Gen. Eaton and Ktn"* 
Hamet, with incredible toil and suffering, passed andotn- 
the desert of Barca, and took possession of Derne, 

the capital of a large province belonging to Tripoli. 
The success of Eaton struck the reigning bashaw ^e?t 
with terror. Trembling for his fate, he offered difceny 
terms of peace, which were accepted by Mr. Lear, cess? 
the authorized agent of the United States. 

12. For a time, Col. Burr, notwithstanding hisj^^j^^^ 
brilliant talents, had sunk into merited obscurity ; c?TaJ*' 
but his ever-scheming mind was constantly in ac- de'tect^ 
tion, and, in 1806, he was detected in a conspiracy, isoe. 
the design of which was to form, in the valley of 



366 JEFFERSON S ADMINISTRATION. Pait III 

1806 the Mississippi, a separate government, of which 
he should be the ruler, and New Orleans the capi- 
tal ; or, to invade the rich Spanish provinces of 
Mexico, and found an empire there. In 1807, he 
was arrested and brought to trial on the charge of 
treason ; but for want of sufficient evidence was ac- 
quitted. 

wif \he 1^- Europe at this time w^as convulsed with war. 

E^rope^ The nations, which had combined against the 

at this 

time? French republic, now trembled before the victorious 
troops of Bonaparte. France was a nation of sol- 
diers, and on land, the flight of her eagle was ever 
tow^ard victory. But on the sea, the fleets of Eng- 
land rode in triumph. 
May 16. 14. England, anxious to injure as much as pos- 
Ho^Y did sible France, her enemy and rival, declared several 

England ' "^ ' 

toTnTure po^^s uuder her control to be in a state of block- 

France? ^^^ Ameiican vessels attempting to enter those 

ports were captured and condemned. France in 

\ov. 21. *^ , , ^ 

letaliation, declared the British islands in a state 
Francf"^ of blockade, and authorized the capture of neutral 
retaliate? yesscls attcitipting to trade with those islands. Both 
What is of these decrees by which the commerce of the 
these de- United States suffered severely, w^ere contrary to 

crees) -^ ' •' 

the laws of nations, and highly insulting to neutral 

powers. 
wghthad 15- England, to man her numerous fleet, had 
for a long bccu compellcd to resort to impressment. For a 

time 

claimed? long time, she had claimed the authority of search- 
ing American vessels for British seamen, and in 
this w^ay, frequently carried off American citizens, 
and compelled them to perform the degrading duties 
of the English navy. 



Uhap. III. COMMERCIAL DIFFICULTIES. 367 

16. In June, the frigate Chesapeake, while near the |go7 
coast of the United States, was fired on by an Eng- pe^cribo 
lish ship ; and three of her men killed and eighteen lack on 
wounded. Being unprepared for action, she struck chesa- 
aer colors, and was then boarded and four of her 
men carried off on the pretence, that they were 
British seamen. It was afterwards proved, that 
three of them were American citizens. 

17. This insult to the nation was followed by a JSL 
proclamation of the President, prohibiting British wiT- 
ships of war from entering the harbors of the United ^enfr^*' 
States. He also summoned Congress to meet, and 
decide what measures should be adopted. Instruc- 
tions were given to the minister in London to 
demand satisfaction for the insult. 

18. In November, England issued a decree pro- ^J^e^^H 
hibiting all neutrals from trading with France or Engfami? 
her allies, except on the deerradino^ conditions of 
paying a tax to her. This was followed in a few ^^^'na- 
weeks by a decree from Bonaparte, which declared ^*"^" ^^* 
that any neutral vessel, which should submit to be 
visited by a British ship, or pay the tribute on enter- 
ing any of her ports, should be confiscated. Thus 
almost every American ship sailing the ocean was 
liable to be captured. 

19. Congress, to retaliate on France and Eng- nee 22, 
land, decreed an embargo; but this beinff ruinous 

to our commerce, was repealed in 1809 ; but com- f^^f{^^^^ 
mercial intercourse between France and England France 
interdicted. Thus was our nation standing on the land?" 
verge of war, when Jefferson's administration closed. 
At the next election, James Madison was chosen ^^^J^"^* 
president, and George Clinton, vice president. Senu 



368 



MADISON'S ADMINISTRATION. p^rt IIF. 



^07 20. Mr. Jefferson on the 3d of March, 1809, at 

the age of sixty-five closed his political career, and 

What is I'etired to the quiet of his home at Monticello. Here 

Mr.jef he hved until the time of his death, enjoying the 

last days? love and respect of his country. At the age of 

eighty-three years, on the 4th of July, 1826, he 

expired without a mmmur or a groan. 

^^^^ It is a singular fact, that Adams and Jefferson, 

coinci?'^ two men, who had stood by their country in its 

too"k® darkest hours, and side by side had placed their 

place? ' ^ ^ 

names upon the Declaration of Independence, should 

both have died upon that day. 
What is ^^' ^^^' Jefferson was gentlemanly in his appear 
Mr!^jef- ^^^^ ^^d intercourse with others. Possessed of 

kind feehngs and extensive information, he was a 

Goliah in debate, and the interesting and amusing 

companion in the social circle. 



CHAPTER IV. 

MADISON'S ADMINISTRATION, 

FROM MARCH 4TH, 1809, TO MARCH 4TH, 1817. 

1. James Madison was born on the 5th of March^ 
1751, at the dwelling of his grandfather, in Port 
Royal, Virginia, In 1771, he completed his colle- 
giate education at Princeton College, New Jersey ; 
but continued a course of miscellaneous reading for 
a number of years afterward. After having filled 
jseveral important ofBces in his own State, in 1779 



Chap. IV. IISDICATIONS OF WAR. 369 

lie was elected to the Congress of \he revolution, isio 
From this time to his election to the presidency, we 
find him in Congress and in the different conven- 
tions for drafting and amending the constitutions, 
where he had ample room for the display of his 
talents. 

2. Shortly after the commencement of Mr. Madi- 
son's administration, a treaty was concluded with 
the English minister, which engaged, on the part 
of Great Britain, that the orders in council, so far 
as they affected the United States, should be with- 
drawn. Acting on this arrangement, he imme- 
diately issued his proclamation renewing commer- 
cial intercourse with England; but when the British 
government disavowed the acts of her minister, 
the act of non-intercourse with England was re- 
vived. 

3. In 1810 France repealed her decrees, and on w^at 

*■ ^ ocoirred 

the 2d of November the President issued a procla- FraScc 
mation, allowing unrestrained intercourse with that *"^^^°' 
nation. Great Britain, determined to persist in her 
hostile plans, had stationed men of war before the whatdid 

. . . Great 

principal harbors in the United States, to impress ^^'J^" 
seamen from our merchant vessels, and insult our 
national flag. 

4. In one instance, however, their insolence was 
deservedly punished. Com. Rogers, sailing in the igu. 
frigate President, met in the evening, near the coast May is. 
of Virginia, the British sloop of war Little Belt, and How 

® ' ^ ' was then 

hailed her. A shot was the only reply. The fire j^^«; -^^ 
was instantly returned by the Commodore, and sufncS" 
continued until the enemy's guns were silenced, ed?** " 



370 Madison's administration. 



Pari III. 



1811 Thirty-two of the EngHsh were killed, and the brig 

much shattered. 
What 5- While these events were indicating a war with 
S^anspi- England, others of no less interest were transpiring 
the west- on our western frontiers. Tecumseh, a celebra- 

ern fron- ' 

tiers? ^Q^ chieftain of great eloquence, and 01-li-wa-chi-ca, 
his twin brother, generally called the Prophet, were 
whatof stirring up the different Indian tribes against the 
s/ha?d whites. Tecumseh, by his eloquence, and thePro- 
ther? phet, by his cunning, at length obtained complete 
ascendency over the minds of the Indians, and 
united them in a firm compact against the United 
States, 
whowas ^* ^^^- Harrison, of the Indian territory, was di- 
alainst Tcctcd to march against them with a small force, 
diims?"' to reduce them to submission. On the 6th of No- 
vember, he encamped at Tippecanoe, where he met 

Whatoc- ' ^ rr 7 

hisai?i^" messengers from Tecumseh, who agreed that hos- 

Tfppeca- tilities should be deferred until the following day. 

Harrison, however, fearing the treachery of the In- 

what dians, drew up his men in battle array, and ordered 

precau- ^ *■ ^ '' ' 

Ha"rrfson them to fcpose ou their arms. The result proved 

*^^®' that this precaution saved the troops from complete 

Describe dcstructioii ; for, just before the break of day, the 

dianat- savagcs, with their fearful war-whoop, rushed upon 

them. An obstinate and bloody fight ensued, which 

ended in the complete rout of the Indians, with 

great slaughter on both sides. 

7. Such was the state of our affairs, at this time, 
^o^^* with Great Britain, that provisions were made to 
Congress incrcase the army to thirty-five thousand men, and 
ni^ike? to enlarge the navy. The President was author- 
ized to borrow eleven miUions of dollars, and the 



CJiap. V. WAR WITH ENGLAND. 371 

duties on imported goods were doubled. On the ^giJ? 
19th of July, 1812. war was formally declared 
against Great Britain. 



CHAPTER V. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1812. 

1. America was asrain to enter into a contest with , 

^ What IS 

that nation whose haughty power she had once America 
humbled on the ocean-wave and on land, and with com^-^^ 
stronff hand had torn her liberties from its iron mem of 

'-' this war^ 

grasp. The situation of the country, at the com- 
mencement of the two wars, was entirely different. 
In 1775, the Americans were a warlike people, but 
their military ardor had cooled, and they had be 
come enervated by a peace of forty years. But lit- 
tie difficulty, however, was experienced in rousing woint- 
the people to action. Henry Dearborn, one of the iSSn 
surviving officers of the revolution, was appointed 
commander-in-chief of the American army. 

2. The plan of the campaign was to invade Can- ^i^g^^e 
ada from Detroit and Michigan, and the armies from this"caL 
these places were to be joined on the way, by the force 
stationed at Plattsburgh, and all to proceed to Mon- 
treal. The army destined for Detroit was placed 
under the command of Gen. Hull, the governor of 
Michigan territory. 

3. On the 12th of July, with 2,000 regulars and 
volunteers. Gen. Hull crossed the river at Detroit, wa^s'done 
and encamped at Sandwich with the object of iin\i^^ 



372 MADISOX'S ADMINISTRATION. Part IH 

1812 marching on the British post at Maiden, A.id from 
^jjat thence proceeding to Montreal. On the same day, 
mation he addresscd a proclamation to the Canadians, as- 

was is- . • 1 /» 1 1 • /• 

•ued? suring them, m a lofty tone, that his force was suf- 
ficient to break down all opposition, and offered to 
them the blessings of civil and religious liberty 

„,^ , . But Hull was more fond of words than of action. 

What IS 

gjj'iif and instead of pressing on, and striking a powerful 
blow, which would have insured him success, he 
wasted nearl}^ a month, in ruinous, delay. 

What in- 4. In the mean time, Maiden had been reinforced, 

tionwas and, at this critical moment, information was re- 
brought ' ' 

to Hull? ceived, that Mackinaw, an American post above 
Detroit, had surrendered to the British and. Indians, 
who were rushing down the river in numbers suffi- 
what cient to crush the American forces. Gen. Hull, 
ment'did pauic-struck, in spite of the entreaties of his officers, 
make? and the indignation of his troops, hastened back to 

Detroit. 
^j^Q 5. Gen. Brock, the commander at Maiden, pursued 

himf^ him, w^ith a large force, composed of mihtiaand In- 
dians, and stationed himself opposite Detroit. On 
the 15th of August, he sent a summons to Hull to 

What . . 

sum- .^ surrender, threatenins^ him, that if he did not, he 

mons did ' . 

fend*to would let loose the Indians upon Detroit. On the 
^""" following morning Brock crossed to Spring Wells, 

and moved toward Detroit. 
What 6. While the American troops, drawn up in or- 
eventoc dcr of battle, in numbers superior to the combined 

curred a*-. ' ^ * ^ 

Detroit? f^i-^e of the British and Indians, were anxiously 
waiting to commence the fight, they were suddenly 
ordered within the fort, and a white flag hung from 
the walls, in token of submission. This shameful 



Chap. V, NAVAL VICTORIES. 373 

surrender, in which an important post and a vast i8i*s 
amount of ammunition passed into the hands of the ,p^ 
EngHsh, excited the rage and mortification not only Zasuua 
of the officers and troops, but of the whole nation, derdis- 

* ' ^ pleasing! 

HuUwas afterward tried before a court martial, con- 

icted of cowardice, and sentenced to death. On ac- ^^s^he 
count of his age, he was pardoned by the Presi- huS's"^ 
dent, but his name was stricken from the rolls of the 
army. 

7. On the 13th of October, Gen. Van Rensselaer, ^'^ai 

' ' wasdono 

at the head of a part of the forces stationed at Lew- vai?^"' 
iston, composed principally of New- York militia, sefa"er on 
crossed the river and made an attack upon Queens- l[^f^ 
town. During the battle, Van Rensselaer was 
wounded, and Gen. Brock killed. The English 
receivino^ a reinforcement of one thousand men, ,,,^ 

^ ' Who 

while a portion of the militia on the American y^H^l^f 
shore refused to cross, the republican army was 
obliged to surrender. While our army was suf- said^o? 

/. . /• I • 1- the sue- 

lermg irom these many successive disasters, on f^ss of 
the ocean, the American flag, after many a well- cl^^on 
contested fight waved in triumph over the red flag ocean? 
of England 

8. On the 19th of August, three days after the 
shameful surrender of Detroit, a series of splendid 
naval victories was commenced by Capt. Isaac 

•^ ^ What is 

Hull, of the United States frigate Constitution, who, ^^'^^^,f 
after an obstinate fight, captured the British frigate ""^'-^^^^ 
Guerriere, commanded by Capt. Dacres. The loss 
of the Constitution was seven killed, and seven 
wounded ; that of the Guerriere was fifteen killed 
and sixty-three wounded ; among the latter was 
Capt. Dacres. On the 13th of August, the United 



374 Madison's administration. 



P«v»t 111. 



1812 States frigate Essex, Capt. Portei-j captured the 
QfP^^r^ British sloop of war Alert, after an action of only 

ten's vie- • i . • . 

tory? eight minutes. 

9. On the 18th of October, the sloop of war, 

^er°the ^^^P? Capt. Joncs, after one of the most bloody 

vroiic? conflicts recorded in naval history, captured the brig 
Frolic, of twenty-two guns. The contest lasted 
forty-three minutes. The loss on board the Frolic 
was thirty killed, and fifty wounded ; on board the 
Wasp five were killed, and five slightly wounded. 
On the same day, they were both captured by a 
British frigate. This splendid victory was followed 
on the 25th of October, by one no less glorious and 

tur's vie- decisive. Com. Decatur, of the frigate United 

twy over 

cedo?^^^' States, of forty-four guns, captured the Macedonian, 

man? mounting forty-nine guns, and manned with three 

hundred men. The action continued an hour and 

a half The Macedonian lost thirty-six killed, and 

sixty-eight wounded ; on board the United States, 

seven were killed and five wounded. 

^e^tory ^^' December 29th, the fortunate Constitution, 

bfkige'"' then commanded by Com. Bainbridge, captured the 

Java, a British frigate, carrying forty- nine guns, 

and four hundred men. The action was fought off 

St. Salvador, and lasted three hours. The Java 

lost 60 killed, and 120 wounded ; the Constitution 

9 killed, and 25 wounded. 

„,, . 11. Beside this series of victories achieved by oui 

What IS -' 

li^Q ^^ navy, the American privateers had taken, during 
ca™p"i- the year, 250 British vessels, and 3,000 prisoners. 

vate^rs? j ' i 

England had found an enemy which had ably con- 
tested her supremacy as mistress " of the sea," and 
in that contest come off* victorious. 



Chap. VI. CAMPAIGN OF 1813. 376 

1813 

CHAPTEE VI. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1813. 



1. The operations of this campaign extended X'^^o" 
along the whole northern frontier of the United Jatlo^nT 
States. The army of the West was stationed at cam- 

'' paign ? 

the head of Lake Erie, and commanded by Gen. ^^^^^^ 
Harrison ; that of the centre under Gen. Dearborn, Trmy of 
between the lakes Ontario and Erie; and that of weststa- 

tioned "J 

the North under Gen. Hampton, on the shores of ^^ ^^^ 
Lake Champlain. Colonels Proctor and Vincent anS^""® 
commanded the British forces in Upper Canada, and "'''^^" 
Gen. Sheafie those in the Lower Provinces. 

2. The head-quarters of Gen. Harrison, at the what 
commencement of the winter, were at Frankhnton, p'an.of 

' ' Harnsoni 

in Ohio. His plan was to concentrate a considera- 
ble force at the Rapids, whence he designed to 
make an attack upon Detroit, which was still in ^ho did 
possession of the British. Gen. Winchester, with pltcil^in 

fl rl vn n Pf* 

800 men, was detached to proceed in advance of 
the main army. On the 10th of January, he arrived ^^|J?*^"* 
at the Rapids, when he received intelligence that a ^^\^ 
body of British and Indians was about to concen- Lr^thl 
irate at Frenchtown, on the river Raisin, a number ^ndwhkt 

' ... did he 

of miles in advance, at the urgent solicitation of the *^°^ 
inhabitants, dispatched Cols. Lewis and Allen, with 
a force of between six and seven hundred men to what oc- 
iheir assistance. On their arrival, they attacked onTheu 

arrival ^ 

the enemy, and defeated them, and were joined the 
next day by Gen. Winchester. 



376 MADISON'S ADMINISTRATION. Part III 

1813 3. On the morning of the 22dj he was surprised 
whatoc- by the forces of the British and Indians under Col. 
on^'fhe Proctor. Gen. Winchester and some of his troops 

morning . i i i-, t i 

o[^jhe were taken prisoners, and conveyed to the iiinghsh 

What re- camo, whcn, beins: terrified with threats of an In- 
quest did ^^ J b 

dties'ter ^^^^ massacrc, he sent to Madison, requesting him 

Madison? to surrender. 

What did ^' Proctor accompanied the flag and made the 

Madison (jeiyj^ndj but Madison replied that he would not 

surrender unless the safety of his men were guar- 

proctor an tied. Proctor demanded, " Do you mean to die- 
say^ 7 ./ 

tate to me ?" " No," was the reply, " I intend to 
^^^^li,Q dictate for myself; and we prefer selling our lives 
Madison? as dcaiiy as possible, rather than be massacred in 

cold blood." The surrender was made on condi- 
condition tion that officers should retain their side-arms, pri- 

was the ^ * 

5e7^"" vate property be respected, and the prisoners be pro- 

"^'''' tected by a guard. 

Were 5. Thcsc stioulatious Proctor disregarded, and 

these o 7 

condi- handed the prisoners over to the Indians who butch 

tions re- ^ 

garded? ^j.^j them in cold blood. Some of their bodies were 
thrown into the flames, and others, shockingly man- 
gled, left exposed in the streets. These awful deeds 
were continued a number of days. Proctor, the 

^^haus prime mover in this scene of butchery, which would 
have done honor to the fiends, instead of being 
hung by order of his government, received the rank 
of major-general in the army. 

6. Gen. Harrison, on receiving the news of this 

^?red^t nielancholy defeat, was on his way to Frenchtown, 

ue^si but fearing an attack from Proctor, he halted at the 
rapids of the Maumee, and erected Fort Meigs. 
Here he was besieged by Proctor, with a force of 



Proctor's 
promo- 
tion? 



Chap. VI. 



DEATH OP PIKE. 377 



more than 2,000 British and Indians. But Ge... 1813 
Clay coming to his assistance, with 1,200 Kentuck- 
ians, Proctor was defeated, and obliged to raise the wha-. 
siege. Col. Dudley and his party, however, fell fete' ir^ 
into an ambuscade, and were slaughtered by the }ey a^nd 
Indians under Tecumseh. The Indians had been ^^^ 
deceived by Tecumseh and his brother, the Prophet, 
and after this defeat, deserted their allies. The 
fort was left under the command of Gen. Clay. 

7. Proctor, shortly after, reappeared before the pioctor''* 
fort, with 4,000 men, but iSndino: it stron^xly rarri- draw his 

5 ' ' o o J ft ^ troops 

soned, he drew off his troops, and proceeded against ^^t"? ^'^ 
Port Stephenson, on the Sandusky river. Major ^vhither 
Crogan, a youth of twenty-one, defended the fort P'^^^e^^- 
with 150. Proctor was defeated, with the loss of cuS'^at 
150 killed and wounded. About the middle of April, phens^Jni 
Gen. Pike, by order of General Dearborn, embarked what 
at Sackett's Harbor with 1,700, who were conveyed ^.^"^ 
across the lake on board a flotilla, commanded by Ge^f ^^ 
Com. Chauncey, to the attack of York, the capital 
3f Upper Canada. 

8. On the 27th of April, he landed, and having 
formed his men, pressed on toward the enemy's what is 
fortification, driving back a superior force. He had Sck?^ 
already carried the first battery by assault, and was 
pressing on toward the main works, when an ex- 
plosion of the enemy's magazine took place, which 
killed more than 100 Americans, among whom was 

the lamented Pike. On the fall of their leader, the teiu^ *" 

geuce 

troops halted for a moment, but soon pressed on, ^^^^,1^, 
and carried the place by storm. As the shout of dyinf * 
victory arose on the air, and was wafted to the dy- 
ing Pike, a smile of triumph played around his lips, 



378 Madison's administration. Part hi. 

1813 and as the flag which had waved over the fort, v»as 
carried to him, and placed under his head, he expired 
What 9- The troops now returned to Sackett's Harbor, 
ment fi'om whence they proceeded to Fort George, at the 
made by head of the lake, which they took, after a warm en- 

both ar- ' J 1 

m.es? gagement. The enemy proceeded to the heights, 
near Burlington Bay, where they w^ere joined by 
detachments from Chippewa and Fort Erie. 

10. Generals Winder and Chandler were dis- 
patched in pursuit. They encamped on the 5th of 
June in the vicinity of the enemy. Here they were 
attacked by the English, in the middle of the night, 
Junes, with great fury. Having succeeded in taking pris- 
oners Generals Chandler and Winder, with a large 
number of the troops, they made a precipitate re- 
treat. 
^^^ 11. On the 29th of May, 1,000 British troops 

tewas landed from the squadron, and proceeded to attack 
ai^saJk- Sackett's Harbor. The force in this place amounted 

ett's Har- *- 

bor? to about 1,000 men, and was commanded by Gen. 
Brown, of the New York militia. As the enemy 
approached the breastworks, the militia, seized with 

whatoc- ^ sudden panic, broke their ranks and fled. Col. 

fao-e^f Mills, in attempting to rally them, received a mor- 
tal wound. The regulars slowly retired, and, tak- 
ing possession of the different houses, poured from 
their doors and windows so deadly a fire upon the 
enemy that they paused. At this moment, Gen. 
Brown, who had succeeded in rallying the militia, 
marched rapidly down toward the landing. The 
Enghsh commander, believing it was his intention 
to cut oir his retreat, embarked his troops so has- 
tily as to leave the wounded upon the field. 



Chap. VI. CAPT. LAWRENCE. 379 

12. While these events were transpiring on oiii 1813 
northern and north-western frontiers, a terrible ^^ ^^^ 
warfare was being carried on upon the ocean. {?me" 
There, as well as on land, England, by her cold- was 

^ 7 o ? ^ trans- 

blooded crueltyj stamped her character with an f^^^"^ °" 

eternal blot of infamy. A squadron from the Eng- °^^^' 

lish navy, stationed in Delaware Bay, captured and 

burned every merchant vessel which came within 

its reach, and bombarded the village of Lewiston. 

13. Another squadron, commanded by Admiral what 
Cockbuin, was stationed in Chesapeake Bay. The events 
troops made frequent excursions into the country, ^^^^®' 
slaughtering the cattle, and insulting the inhabit- 
ants. Frenchtown, Havre de Grace, Frederick- 
town, and Georgetown, were sacked and burned. A 
strict blockade was kept up at New York. The 
American frigates United States and Macedonian 
escaped from port, but were chased into New Lon- 
don Harbor, where they were blockaded for a num- 
ber of months. 

14. In the mean time many severe and bloody what is 

said of 

conflicts had been fought upon the ocean. On the {^e bat- 
4th of February, the Hornet, commanded by Capt. lh?^H„r. 
Lawrence, met the Biitish brig Peacock, of about peacScta 
equal force. The conflict lasted fifteen minutes, 
when the Peacock struck her colors, and displa)^ed 
a flag of distress. On his return to the United 
States, Capt Lawrence, for his bravery and suc- 
cess, was promoted to the command of the frigate 
Chesapeake, then lying at Boston. what in- 

15. On being informed that the British frigate capt!^^'^ 
Shannon had been cruising for a number of weeks J'ence re- 
off the harbor, inviting an attack, stimulated by his re 



380 Madison's administration. part hi. 

1813 former success, lie determined to meet it. \Vl(h a 
Describ^ ciew ciilisted for the occasion, he sailed out of .he 
tkfbe-'" harbor. At half |:ast five on the same evening, they 
the^^" met, and engaged with great fury. 
peake jg. By the first broadside, the saihng- master of 
^n"* the Chesapeake was killed, and Capt. Lawrence 
and three lieutenants severely wounded. The se- 
cond and third broadsides so cut up her rigging, 
that her quarter fell on the Shannon's anchor. 
The enemy now sprang on the deck in great 
Describe numbcrs. Captain Lawrence, in the act of sum- 
Etw- mouing the boarders, received his mortal wound. 
S.Tmo- When carried below, he was asked if the colors 
should be struck. He replied, " No, they shall wave 
while I live." With the most intense eagerness, he 
listened to the combat, which was carried on upon 
the deck of his ship, and hoped for victory. When 
he knew that the American flag had been lowered, 
and that he was conquered, reason fled its throne. 
Whenever able to speak, he would exclaim in the 
most beseeching tones, '' Don't give up the ship." 
He only survived his defeat about four days. 
Se^na-'^ 17. Lawrcucc, by his bravery, his previous vic- 
ceive^the tory, and magnanimous conduct, had become the 
hts"^^ ^ idol of the nation, and his death was lamented with 

death ? , ' 

sorrow and witli tears. The Shannon lost, during 
wa^'^the ^^^^ engagement, 24 killed, and 56 wounded ; the 
feh"" Chesapeake 48 killed, and nearly 100 wounded. 

sides ? 

The honors which were heaped on the commander 
Howwas of the Shannon for his victory, by the British erov- 

tnis VIC- J 1 J o 

viewed ernment, showed the pride with which they viewed 
English? a victory over a frigate, in a navy which had so often 
humbled their power. 



Chap. VI. BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. 381 

18. The next encounter at sea was between the 1813 
American brig Argus, of 18 guns, and the British ^^^^^ 
brig Pelican, of 20 guns, in which the latter was nexVllf- 
victorious. On the 5th of September following, the a^sea^' 
British briff Boxer surrendered to the Enterprise, whaten 

<-5 r 7 counter 

commanded by Lieut. Burrows. The fact that both ^h^^f- 
ships were of equal force, was a strong fact in favor ^^^^'' 
of the superiority of American seamen. Both of what 

, . . feet is 

the commanders were killed, and interred beside policed 

' m these 

each other at Portland. battles? 

19. While the navy was winning glorious lau- what is 
rels on the ocean, through the exertions of Com. the 

1111 /» 1 T squadron 

Perry, a squadron had been fitted out on Lake ^^^ff^ke* 
Erie. It consisted of nine vessels, carrying fifty- ^"^' 
four guns. The English squadron, which had been 
built and equipped, under direction of Commodore 
Barclay, consisted of six ships, carrying sixty-three 
guns. 

20. On the 10th of September, Com. Perry, forming 

the line of battle, hoisted his fighting flag, on which J^^Iq 
were inscribed the dying words of the gallant Law- hlfhi^i 
rence, "Don't give up the ship." At 12, the ene- 
my's flag-ship, dueen CharlottCj opened a heavy the com. 
fire on the Lawrence, the flag-ship of Perry. The j^entof 
wind was so light that none of the other ships could 
come to the assistance of the Lawrence, and for 
two and a half hours she sustained the fire of the 
Detroit, Queen Charlotte, and Hunter. 

2L Perry was as cool as if on ordinary duty, ^^^^^.^ 
working with his own hands at the guns. But by pJrlyY 
this time, the brig had become unmanageable, and 
the crew, with the exception of four or five, lay 
around the bloody deck, either dead or dying. 



382 Madison's administration. Part in. 

1813 While thus surrounded, with death and destruction 

pouring in upon him, Perry, taking his fighting flag 

Describe ^^^ev his ami, and waving his sword, left his now 

kiUhT' disabled ship, and proceeded in an open boat to the 

Niagara. The combat now raged with redoubled 

fury. Broadside after broadside was poured into 

the English ships, with unerring aim. Soon one 

the dose of the euemy's vessels surrendered ; and still Perry 

contest, followed up his victory, until his flag waved in tri- 

v^hat umph over all. At 4 o'clock, the victorious and 

did^plrry fortuuate Perry sent to General Harrison, at Fort 

Harrison? Mcigs, this modest and laconic epistle, " We have 

met the enemy, and they are ours.*' 
What is 22. The news of this brilliant victory was re- 

said of ^ ^ -^ 

tory?^''''" ceived with great joy by the nation. It had been 
gained over a superior force, and opened a passage 
to the recovery of all that had been lost by the sur- 
render of Hull. Not only Perry, but all under his 
command, gained laurels of which they might well 
be proud. 

Where 23. Gcu. Harrisou, who had been joined by Gov. 

Harrison Sclby, of Kcntucky, with 4,000 men, as soon as he 

had received intelligence of the victory, hastened to 

the lake, and embarked for Maiden ; but, to his sur- 

he Md prise, he found that fortress and the public store- 
on his ar- J *■ 

wiifit did blouses burned. 1 he enemy were pursued by Gen. 
he do? Harrison, who, on the 29th, took possession of De- 
troit, and then pressed on after the retreating foe. 
Where 24. Ou the 5th of October, he came up with 
come up them, about 80 miles from Detroit, at a Moravian 

witli the ' ' 

enemy.' village, OR thc rivcr Thames. His force being 
cescribe gi'^jatly supcrior, victory was speedily gained. The 
l^^V"* mounted men charged impetuously through the 



Cliap. VI. DEATH OV TECUMSEH. 383 

enemy's ranks, then formed, and charged in their i8i3 
rear. The British threw down their arms and fled. 
The Indians behaved better, and fought with the 
fiercest desperation. Tecumseh pressed eagerly 
into the midst of the contest, urging on his men, what is 
and throwing his tomahawk with the greatest fury. Se^deV 
Suddenly the voice of command was silenced, for cumseh? 
the haughty chief had fallen. The Indians now y^^^^ 
fled, leaving 33 dead on the field. Nearly 600, Sil'of 
being almost the whole of Proctor's forces, were tie ^ 
taken prisoners. 

25. Leaving Gen. Cass in command of Detroit, ^^J^^J' 
Harrison, with a part of his forces, proceeded, ac-iufe^" 
cordinff to instructions, to Buflfalo, to ioin the Amer- Sentsor 

■^ \ . Harrison"' 

ican army, on the Niagara frontier. But there 
having been a sufficient number of general officers 
assigned to that army he returned to his home. 

26. The fall of Tecumseh was deeply felt by the Z\d%f 
Indian tribes. Possessed of a powerful mind, and self?"" 
the soul of a hero, had his lot been cast in a diflfer- 

ent state of society, he would have shone, not only 
as a warrior, but one of the most distmffuished ora- ^^^se 

' o opera- 

tors and statesmen. The result of the operations pr^Jpare 

of the north-west, and victory on Lake Erie, pre- for 7^^ ^ 

pared the way to attempt a more effectual invasion 

of Canada. 

27. Gen. Dearborn having been compelled to ^^^ ^^^^ 
withdraw from active service, on account of sick- ^"^onj 
ness, the command of the army of the centre, con- tKrarmy 
eisting of 7,000 men, had been given to General centre"? 
Wilkinson. It was his plan to descend the St. ^^^^ 
Lawrence, and attack Montreal. Owing to the ^iH^ 
difficulty of concentrating his troops, it was in the 



384 Madison's administration. Part hi 

18 13 early part of NovembeUj before he commenced oper- 
Describe atioHS. He then proceeded to St. Regis, when, 
atfons^^'^* finding the reinforcements which he expected from 
General Hampton, who commanded the troops at 
Plattsburgh, had failed him, he abandoned the pro- 
who jeet of attacking Montreal, and encamped for the 
c^- winter at French Mills. Gen. Hampton soon after 

mandot . , i . . . . , , , 

pktts- resigned his commission in the army, and the com- 
mand of the post at Plattsburgh was given to Gen. 
Izard. 

What is 28. Creek War. The Creek and Seminole 

said of 

Creeks I^^^ianSj looking upon the w^hites as the robbers of 
fnolfsf' their nation, and feehng toward them the most bit 
ter hatred, made use of every means in their powder 
manner to toiment and annoy them. Without declaring 

of war- "^ . . , . 

fare? ^^1', they ravaged the country, causing the inhabit- 
Describe ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^ their forts for safety. About 300 
slaughter men, women, and children had fled to Fort Min- 
Minims. ims for protcctiou. About noon, on the 30th of 
August, the place was surrounded by 600 Indians, 
who, with their axes, cut their way into the fort, 
burned the houses, and butchered men, women, and 
children. Only 17 escaped to carry the horrid tid- 
ings to their homes, 
whowas ^^- "The whites, indignant at these cruelties, re- 
d^spatch- g^i^gj Q^ vengeance. Gen. Jackson, with 2,500 

Ifii'hat ^^^' ^^^ ^^^^' •'^W^j ^'i^h 1,000, proceeded agdnst 
did^they them, and laid waste their country ; burned many 
of their villages, and defeated them in bloody 
battles at Talladega, Autassea, and at Emucfau. 
Yet the Creeks, still unsubdued, and confident of 
victory, made a final stand, with 1,000 warriors, at 
the bend of the Tallapoosa. Three thousand men, 



Cliap. VI. CLOSE OF THE CAMPAIGN. 385 

commanded by Gen. Jackson, marched to attack n^ia 
them. The conflict was long and bloody. Six hun- 1^^^^ 
dred warriors soon lay dead on the field, and the battiS 
remainder, believing that the Great Spirit had in- creeus. 
deed forsa^ken them, fled. 

30. The principal chiefs, fearing an extinction why d.i 

^ , . -, . ' p, , -, the chief 

of the nation, entered mto a treaty oi peace with novv en 
Gen. Jackson. One of them, in asking for peace, ^If^^f 
said, " I have done the white people all the harm I 
could, but now even hope is ended. Once I could ^e^of '^ 
animate my warriors, but I cannot animate the chie/s 
dead. They can no longer hear my voice ; their 
bones are at Tallushatches, Talladega, and Toha- 
peka. While there was a hope of success, I never 
supplicated peace, but my people are gone, and I 
now ask for my nation and myself." In spite of 
their atrocities, we cannot help admiring some traits 
m their character, and dropping a tear over the 
graves of their fallen dead, and their now almost 
buried nation. 

31. In the winter of 1813-14 CongrcLS held an what 

^ were thi 

extra session, when the President was authorized l-oSfo^f 



of 
the nex» 



to borrow twenty-five millions of dollars, and issue con 
treasury notes to the amount of five millions. A 
communication was received from the British gov- 
ernment, declining the mediation of Russia, and pro- 
posing a negotiation for peace at London or Gottin- 
gen. The proposition was accepted by the Ameri- 
can government, and Henry Clay and Jonathan 
Russell appointed commissioners. The conven- 
tion was held at Ghent. 



17 



386 MADISON S ADMINISTRATION. Part I1I« 

1 814 

CHAPTER VII. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1814. 



What is i- For three months the armies of both nations 
tnecom- remained idle. In the mean time, the troubler of 
thfs"cam- Europe, Napoleon, the emperor of France, had been 
aS!f the checked in his victorious career, and banished to the 
S" Eu-°" island of Elba. Europe was once more restored to 
tilife? P^ace; and England, with no other hostile foe in 
the world, was enabled to direct against the United 
States the whole of her immense force. 
Howma- 2. Fourtecu thousaud soldiers, who had fouo^hl 
diwra- tinder the Duke of Wellington, embarked for Cana- 
fo/cfalia- da, ahd a strong naval force sailed along the Ameri- 
can coast, and blockaded many of our ports. Early 
What in the sprinsr, Gen. Brown marched from Sackett's 

move- t^ o J 

^fg"- Harbor toward Niagara. On the 3d of July Gens. 
Gen.^ ^ Scott and Ripley, with three thousand men, crossed 

Brown? r J? J 



the river, and with but slight opposition took pos- 
session of Fort Erie. On the next day Gen. Brown, 
with the main body of the army, marched to Chip- 
whatis P^way, where the British troops were intrenched, 
me^^bai commanded by Gen. Riall. On the morning of the 
chipj)e- 5th, both armies met in open field. After an obsti- 
nate and bloody contest, the enemy withdrew to 
their intrenchments with the loss of five hundred 
raen. 

3. Gen. Riall, after his retreat, retired to Bur- 
lington Heights. Here he was reinforced by Gen. 
Drummond. who, assuming the command, led back 



Cliajn VII. BATTLE OF LUNDY's LANE. 387 

the army toward the American camp. About sun- 1814 
set on the 25th the battle of Lundy's Lane com- ^r^^^^ 
mencedj and continued until midnight. com? 

4. Two armies meeting within a few miles of the on the 

*-* ^ ^ evening 

cataract of Niagara, the roar of which was silenced ^^^^^^^ 
by the thunder of cannon, with no light save the 
Hashes from instruments of death, and glimpses Sfe 
of the moon, presented a scene of erreat sublim- sentedon 

' t^ ^ the Ni- 

ity. General Scott, leading on the advance, first gg^l^ 
attacked the enemy, and maintained the fight for ^'^®""'^' 
more than an hour, against a force seven times his Descriu 
number. The main army, under General Brown, tack. 
coming up, the contest was renewed with great fury. 
A British battery, stationed on a commanding emi- 
nence, sorely annoyed the Americans during the 
first part of the engagement. It must be silenced, 
or the victory is lost. 

5. " Can you storm that battery ?" said General 
Ripley to Col. Miller. "• Til try, sir," was the laconic ^^^^^^ 
answer ; and placing himself at the head of the demand 



of Col. 



21st regiment, marched, in the face of a terrific fire, Miikr 
to the mouth of the blaziner cannon, sprung over 
the guns, as the match was bemg applied, drove f^f-^^}^' 
the artillery men back at the point of the bayo- 
net, and seized the pieces. The whole war does 
not furnish an instance of a more daring act of 
bravery than this. 

6. This eminence was the key to the British po- 
sition, and every exertion was made by the English what ef 
commander to regain it. Thrice he charged with ^j^jf^ ^ 
the bayonet, but was repulsed and at last driven from [hlTr 
tlie hill, and the Americans left in quiet possession 
of the field. The thunder of battle was, at length. 



emi- 
nence / 



388 Madison's administration. Part hi, 

1814 hushed, and no sound was borne on the midnight 
~~ air, save the roar of the cataract and the groans 
refuh^f of the dying, who strewed the field. On that 
l^ei^^^' bloody field lay, ghastly in death, 878 Enghsh sol- 
diers, and 858 American. 

7. Gens. Brown and Scott having been wound- 
t^he com- ^^? ^'^^ command devolved on Gen. Ripley, who, 
?^vetn after having remained for a few hours on the 
R?piey? hill, and collected the wounded, retired to Fort Erie, 

and there intrenched himself Gen. Drummond. 

What 

bi^Gen"^ with 5,000 men, on the 4th of August, besieged 

mo"nT? him. On the night, between the 14th and 15th, 

the besiegers made an assault on the fort, but w^ere 

whatioss repulsed, with the loss of more than nine hundred 

were the * ' 

besiegers iripn 
repulsed? ^*^^"- 

8. On the 17th of September, Gen. Brown, who 
^hat had taken command of the garrison, ordered a sor- 

was done o ; 

?7fhof ^i^ fiom the fort, and destroyed the advance works 
^^^^*' of the enemy. Shortly after. Gen. Izard arrived 
What from Plattsbursrh with a reinforcement of 5,000 men, 

troops ° . , . . 1 

came whcn the enemy retued to then* intrenchments, 

Strd? behind Chippeway. General Izard followed, but 

finding it impossible to dislodge them, evacuated 

Canada, and placed his troops in winter-quarters at 

Buffalo, Black Rock, and Batavia. 

9. Early in September, Sir George Prevost, avail- 
wnatdid ii^g himself of the absence of General Izard, with a 
prTvSt large portion of the garrison, advanced toward 
Sept. Plattsburgh, with 14,000 chosen troops, most of 

whom had served wuth Wellington, in the peninsu- 
lar campaign. On the 6th, the enemy arrived at 
„,^ . Plattsburg-h, which is situated near Lake Cham- 
niUh? plain, on the banks of a small river. On their ap- 



CHap.VJI. BATTLE ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 389 

proach, the American troops formed a breast-work 1814 
of the planks, which they tore from the bridge. ~^ 

10. On the 11th of September, the British squad- ^n^^'?* 

I • 1 ^1 A • received? 

ron was seen bearmg down upon the American 
squadron, which was ancliored off Plattsburgh, and kow 
commanded by Com. McDonough. The former ^^^^V*** 
carried 95 guns, and was maimed with 1,050 men ; "^^"^^ 
the latter carried 86 guns, and was manned with 
820 men. 

11. The battle commenced at 9 o'clock, and con- 
tinued for a number of hours. Seldom had the Describe 
ocean witnessed a more bloody or terrible contest t*®"- 
than that which took place on the still waters of 
Lake Champlain. Two hostile fleets, borne on the 
bosom of that placid lake, awakening the deep 
echoes of those giant hills by the roar of their artil- 
lery, as they poured their broadsides into each other, whatia 

" ' . -^ ^ . . ' said of 

in quick succession, and the immense army of Sir ^^^^^^^^^ 
George Prevost, drawn up in order of battle, wait- ^^' 
ing for the striking of the American flag, to open 
their fire on land, presented a sublime scene. 

12. Thousands on the shore watched the con- 
test on the lake with intense interest. The firing, 
at length, ceased : a light breeze swept away 
the sulphurous cloud which overhung the combat- 
ants ; when lo, the stars wave in triumph, and the ^^ry^^^ 
red cross of England lies on the bloody deck. Now, S^ves in 
Sir George Prevost, look at your humbled flag, and ""^^^ 
then for your contest with the cowardly Yankees. 
Boldly he led on his forces to the river's edge, but 
they marched to death. The American fire thinned 

his ranks, and the dead bodies of his troops floated prevost 

, . lead on 

down the river, which was crimsoned with blood. {^ckT*' 



390 Madison's administration, part hi, 

18J4. 13. The contest continued until night-fall, wnen 
^~ the enemy fied. On the lake, the American 



fcon- loss was 110, the British 194. On land the Amer 
tSi'ieT ican loss was 119, that of the British 2,500. With 
these victories the campaign closed on the northern 



-- JH- frontier, 

can loss? 



What 



14. On the ocean many battles were fought, in 
the Brit- which the Americans were victorious, or onlyyield- 

ishloss? . 

ed to superior forces. The Essex, commanded by 
^itoJies ^^P^- Porter, after a bloody combat, struck to a 
gained British frigate and sloop of war, whose united force 
^eanf was vastly superior. The American sloop Wasp, 
commanded by Capt. Blakely, captured the Rein- 
deer, and afterward sunk the Avon. The sloop 
Peacock captured the Epervier, of equal force. 

15. On the Atlantic coast, the citizens anticipat- 
ing an augmentation of the enemy's force, took 
every precaution to fortify and garrison their forts. 

What ef- p(jj. ^i^Q protection of Washington, 1,000 regular 
ml?eto troops wcrc raised, and placed under General Win- 
jhe.At- der. A British fleet, under Admiral Cochrane, 
coast? shortly afterward entered the Chesapeake with a 
^ith large land force, commanded by Gen. Ross, who 
struc-*" was instructed by his government to destroy and 

tions did . . • i i 

a British lay waste such towns on the coast as miffht be as- 

fleet en- -^ '-' 

"glJ^^ sailable. 

peake? jg^ q^^ ^^le 19th of August, Gcu. Ross landed at 
What Benedict with 5,000 men, and advanced through 
by^Gen. the country to Washington. A stand was made at 
Bladensburg, but the militia fled, although a body 
of seamen and marines, under Com. Barney, main- 
tained their ground until they were overpowered by 
numbers. The enemy then proceeded to Washing- 



rjliap. VII. BURNING OF THE CAPITOL. 391 

ton, which had been deserted by the mihtiaj burned ^814 
the Capitol, President's house, and all the public Aug. 24. 
buildings, and then retired to their shipping. 

17. This shameful and cowardly act, by which 
a vast amount of treasure, works of art and sci- 
ence, were destroyed, excited the indignation of the 
whole people, and made the war popular with al- 
most all parties. The loss of the enemy, during 
the incursion, w^as eight hundred men. 

18. In the mean time, a portion of the fleet where 

^ ^ , , rfid the 

ascended the Potomac to Alexandria. The inhab- J||j ^n^ti 
itants, to purchase their safety, delivered up their the^^n-'^ 
shipping, all the merchandise in the city, and the do?'^" 
naval and ordnance stores, public and private. 

19. General Ross, elated with his success at Wash- whatdid 
ino^ton, determined to attack Baltimore. With this te?mine* 

. ^ ' . . todo? 

intent, he sailed up the Chesapeake, landed with sept. 12. 
five thousand men at North Point, and commenced where 
his march toward the city. General Strieker ad- i=^"^h's 

•^ men? 

vanced with two thousand men to retard his pro- 
gress. A skirmish ensued, in which Gen. Ross was Zut^f 
killed. The Americans gave way and retired to march, 
the heio^hts, where Gen. Smith was stationed with ski'mish 

^ ' which 

the main body of the arm}^ Col. Brooke, on ®"^^^'^- 
whom the command devolved on the death of Gen. H9W did 
Ross, finding it impossible to draw Gen. Smith from pediuon 
his intrenchment, removed his army in the night, "ate? 
and re-embarked at North Point. The fleet shortly 
after left the Chesapeake, and proceeded south. 

20. The coast of New England suflTered much ]^'^^Vf 
from the attacks of the English navy. The ports Zirot 
of New York, New London, and Boston were block- li^h navy 

^ ' on the N. 

aded, and Stonington was bombarded by Commo- ^^^i^^^"^ 



392 Madison's administration. 



Part III 



iSiHb dore Hardy. In several attempts whicli he made 
to land, he was repulsed by the mihtia, and finally 
compelled to draw off his forces. 

post'^was 21. In the spring of 1814, Andrew Jackson was 

appoint" appointed major-general in the service of the United 
States, and directed to protect the coast near the 

whatdid mouths of the Mississippi. On his arrival at Mobile, 

he learn * * ^ ^ ^ ' 

rivli'ar ^'^^ learned that three British ships of war had en- 

Mobiie? i^y^^ ^\^Q harbor of Pensacola, and landed three 

hundred soldiers with a large amount of arms and 

ammunition, to be distributed among the Spanish 

and Indians. 

what,.^ 22. General Jackson, after havin^^ remonstrated 

steps did ^ ° 

j^ackson JYi vaiu with the governor of Pensacola, for afford- 
ing protection to the enemies of the United States, 
marched against the place, forcibly took possession 
of the city, and compelled the English to evac- 
uate Florida. Having given the haughty foe 
a foretaste of that which was to come, he re- 

whatin- turned to his head-quarters at Mobile. Here here- 

forma- .,.^ . . ^, ,.. 

{;o"j.^id ceived information, that a powerful expedition was 
hirre-^" on its way to attack New Orleans, and without de- 
what did lay, marched with his troops to that city, where he 

arrired on the 1st of December. 
cSnditfon ^^' ^^ ^^^ arrival he found the city in a state of 
findthl confusion and alarm. The militia were composed 
hi/a?d- of men of all nations, imperfectly organized. 

No fortifications existed on the various routes 

by which the place could be approached. Gen. 

Jackson, undismayed by the difficulties which sur- 
what rounded him, proceeded to fortify the place. To 
he^takl*^? ^ii'^G^ ^'^^ energies of the motley mass unclei his 

direction, he took the daring responsibility of pro- 



Chap. VII. BATTLE OF NEW ORi^EANS. 



393 



claiming martial law. This measure, although a 
violation of the constitution, was thought to be jus- 
tified by necessity. 

24. The enemy passed into Lake Borgne, and 
mastered a flotilla which guarded the passes into 
Lake Pontchartrain. On the 22d of December, 
about2,400of theenemy reached the Mississippi nine 
miles below New Orleans. On the followinof nio^ht 
they were attacked by Gen. Jackson, but they stood 
their ground. Jackson now withdrew his troops to 
his intrenchments, four miles below the city. On 
the 28th of December and 1st of January, vigorous 
but unsuccessful attacks were made on his forti- 
fications by the enemy. 

25. On the 8th of January, Gen. Packenham 
brought up his forces, amounting to 12,000 men. 
While approaching, fearless and undaunted, in solid 
columns over an even plain, showers of grape-shot 
thinned their ranks. When they came within mus- 
ket shot, a vivid stream of fire burst from the 
American lines, and poured on them an unceas- 



1814 



Describe 
the 
move- 
ment of 
the ene 
my. 



The a^ 
tack of 
Jackson 
and the 
result 



How 
large was 
Packen- 
ham's 
force 1 



Jackson's fortifications were of a 
novel character. Bagsof cotton, which 
no balls could penetrate, were made 
use of for breast- works. His front 
was a straight line of one thousand 
yards, defended by upward of 3,000 
infantry and artillerists. The ditch 
contained five feet of water, and his 
front was rendered slippery and mud- 
dy by frequent rains. Eight distinct 
batteries were judiciously disposed, 
mounting in all twelve guns. On the 
opposite side of the river was a strong 
battery of fifteen guns. 




394 madison'8 administration. 



Part III. 



1814: ing tide of death. Hundreds fell at every dis- 
How charge, and whole columns were swept away. 



were 



they re- Closing their broken ranks, they pressed on ovei 
by the the dead bodies of their comrades, but to fall before 

Amen- > 

^'^''^ that iron tempest, wdiich poured in incessant vol- 
leys upon them. 
What 26. General Packenham was killed, Gen. Gibbs 
were,, wouudcd mortallv, and General Keene severely. 

mortally '' * '' 

wound- Without officers to direct them, the troops at first 
halted, and then fled to their camp. On the night 
of the 18th, with great secrecy, they embarked on 
board their shipping. Two thousand of the enemy 

was^the lay on the field of battle, while the Americans lost 

result of 1 Ml 1 1 • 11 rr^i • 

the bat- but seven killed, and six wounded. 1 his was one 

tie? ..... 

of the most brilliant victories in the war. 
y^^^^ 27. In the midst of the rejoicings of the nation, 
tefif!*'*"' news arrived of a treaty of peace, which had been 
nved concluded at Ghent, on the 24th of December. The 

%bout ^ ^ ' 

£? motives for the impressment of seamen had ceased 
with the war in Europe, and the treaty provided 
merely for the restoration of peace, and the bound- 
aries remaining as they were. 

whatna- 28. After the declaration of peace, two additional 

val VIC- ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 

victories were gained upon the ocean, which im- 
parted a brighter lustre to the American flag. In 
February, the Constitution, Capt. Stewart, captured 
the Cyane and Levant, and in March, the sloop 
Hornet captured the brig Penguin, stronger in guns 
and men than herself All parties gladly w^elcomed 
the return of peace, and a general rejoicing pre- 
vailed tbroughout the country. 
Zmvvo.x 29. War with Algiers. The Algerines hav 
u^ainst ing violated the treaty of 1795. and committed nu- 

Alci«rs ' 



lories 
were 

gained 



Cliap. VII. WAR WITH ALGIERb. 395 

merous depredations upon the American commerce, 1815 
the United States declared war against them. An 
American squadron, under Com. Decatur, sailed ^^^ 

1 ^ ' was sent 

into the Mediterranean, captured an Algerine brig ffemf 
and forty-four gun frigate, and, at length, appeared 
before Algiers. The dey, intimidated, signed a what 

° "^ 70 success 1 

treaty of peace advantageous to the United States, 
on the 30th of June, 1815. 

30. Durino: the session of Cong-ress in 1815-16, ^^®[i . 

o o 7 was the 

a second " Bank of the United States" was char- united 



States 



tered, with a capital of $35,000,000. In December, Bank 
1816, Indiana was received into the Union as an e<i^ 

What 

independent State. At the presidential election state 

J 1 WSIS J 



was 



ad- 



held in the autumn of this year, James Monroe, of Sl"^"^^^ 
Virginia, was chosen president, and Daniel D. ^"h°"" 
Tompkins, of New York, vice president. dieted 

31. At the age of 66 years, Madison retired from presi- 
public life, to his estate in Virginia. Here he re- 
mained a greater portion of his time, until his death, ^a^or 
On the 28th of June, 1836, at the age of 85, he died— M"^ 
as serene, philosophical, and calm, in the last mo- 
ments of his existence, as he had been in all the 
trying occasions of his hfe. Of that band of bene- 
factors of the human race, the founders of the Con- 
stitution, James Madison was the last who went to 
his reward. 



396 Monroe's admiin.stration. Partiii. 

1811 

CHAPTER VIII. 

MONROE'S ADMINISTRATION. 

FROM MARCH 4TH, 1817, TO MARCH 4TH, 1825. 
^^'he" 1. James Monroe was born in Westmoreland! 

was Mr. 

b'ornr county, Virginia, on the 28th of April, 1758. In 

1776, he graduated at William and Mary College. 

and^" On leavino: college, he commenced the study of 

where ^ ^ ' . , • r i 

Monroe ^^^^> '^^^^ ^^^T ^^^^ relinquished it for the army, in 
graduate? ^]^i(.|^ \^q rcccived an appointment as Heutenant. 
What He was wounded at Trenton, and for his bravery 
he"hoid gradually rose to the rank of major. Faihng in 
army? raising a regiment in Virginia, Major Monroe left 
the army, and entered on the study of law in the 
office of Mr. JefiTerson. 
K'dSf ^' ^^ 1780, at the age of twenty-three, he was 
tifSosT elected to the Virginia legislature, and in the fol- 
lowing year to the Continental Congress. From 
1790 to 1794, he was a member of the Senate of 
the United States, and was taken from that body to 
be minister plenipotentiary from this country to the 
court of France. On his return, he was appointed 
governor of Virginia. In 1803, he was again ap- 
pointed minister to France, and was afterward sent 
both to England and Spain. 
What 3. In 1810, he was again elected governor of Vir- 
ficefdid ffinia, the duties of which office he continued to 

he fill ? ^ ^ . 

perform until he w^as appointed secretary of state 
under Mr. Madison. In 1817, when the war had 
ended, and the nation had once m.ore settled down 



Cliap. VIII, WAR WITH THE SEMINOLES. 397 

into a state of quiet and peace, he was elected pres- isn 
ident. . ' 

4. The country at this time, perhaps, had brighter ^.j^^^ 
prospects before it than for a long time previous, pmspeift 
Peace reimed within its borders, and contmued country 

° . . at this 

prosperity soon relieved it from embarrassments, ^'"^♦^• 
which were the necessary consequences of the war. ^j^^„ 
On the 11th of December, Mississippi became an ^s^ip^f 

, 1 r>i 1 1 • 1 • I admitted 

mdependent Jbtate, and was admitted mto the to the 

^ ^ ^ Union -? 

Union. 

5. In 1818, Ilhnois adopted a State Constitution, ^^s^\i. 
and became a member of the Union. During this mhtefto 
year, a war was carried on between the Seminole union? 
Indians and the United States. Many outrages ^^^^^ 
were perpetrated by the Indians upon the border ^J^J ^^^' 

nhabitants, and Gen. Gaines was instructed to pro- ^^'^^^^'• 
ceed against them, and reduce them to submission ; AVho 
out his force bein::' insufficient, Gen. Jackson was apjnst 

'^ ' them, 

ordered to take command, and raise from the sur- hot"^'^*^ 
rounding States such forces as he might deem ne- ibrfe? 
cessary. At the head of 1,000 Tennesseeans, he 
marched into Florida, took possession of St. Marks, 
a feeble Spanish garrison, where he found Arbuth- 
not and Ambrester. These men were accused of 
exciting the Indians to hostilities, tried by a court- 
martial, and executed. 

6. On learning that the governor of Pensacola J^^J'J'^ 
favored the Indians, Jackson marched against, and J^fth^Ht. 
took possession of that place, meeting with but ancer*' 
slight resistance, the governor having fled to Bara- 

cas, a fort six miles distant. To this place Jackson 

' What 

followed, and havin^]^ commenced a furious cannon- took 

' <-' place at 

ade UDon the place, the governor was glad to sur- ^"'•^^^■•* 



398 Monroe's administration. partiii. 

1818 I'ender. Agreeable to the terms of capitulation, the 
governor and officers were sent to Havana. Jack- 
son now announced that the war had closed, and 
returned to Nasliville. 
v^'hat T* The conduct of Jackson in the war was cen 

iTpfnioif sured by very many, but approved of by the Presi- 
fegardiiiff dent. A resolution of censure was rejected in Cou- 
wmiuct ? gress by a large majority. On the 22d of February. 
1819. 1819, a treaty was concluded at Washington, bv 
treaty which East and West Florida were ceded by Spain 

was con- •' *■ 

?&'ean to the United States. On the 22d of March, the 
government of Arkansas Territory was organized 
othe^/ On the 14th of December, Alabama was admitted 

ve w 

wlrrad- ^^^^ ^^ Union, and the year following the province 
mitted? of Maine, which had been connected with Massa- 
chusetts, was separated from it, and became an in 
dependent State. 
What 8. In 1821, Missouri applied for admission. The 
SrosVon question arose, should she be admitted as a slave 

the ap- 

Sf Mii°" State ? After a strong debate, it was decided that 
Idmit?'' slavery should be tolerated in Missouri, but prohib- 
ited in all the territory of the United States north 
and west of Arkansas. 

9. Mr. Monroe's term of office havin<]: expired, he 
Who . . . 

Srfst"^ was re-elected president, and Mr. Tompkins vice 

taferof president. The Gulf of Mexico having been for 
ofMexi- some time infested with a gang of pirates, Commo- 
dore Porter was sent out to chastise these miscreants, 
that regard no law and that feel no mercy. He 
^,^^^ succeeded in a short time in completely breakmg 
fmf di"^ up their organization. 

edpefsSn 10. Durinff the summer of 1824, the Marquis de 
America^ Lafayette paid a visit to the land whose cause hu 



Chap. VIII. MARaUIS DE LAFAYETTE. 399 

had adopted in its darkest hours, and whose hber- 1834 
ties he had assisted so much in establishing. His 
head was now frosted with the snows of seventy ^^j^^^.^ 
winters, and nearly fifty years had rolled away since SrhfSl 
he had battled side by side with Washington, in 
the sacred cause of liberty. He traveled through 
every State in the Union, and was every where re- 
ceived with the strongest demonstrations of love 
and affection. 

11. He had not only received no remuneration 
for his services during the war, but had expended 
nearly all his private fortune. Congress now pre- 
sented him $200,000 and a township of land. The 
frigate Brandywine was prepared to convey him to 
his country, and he was attended to the place of 
embarkation by the President and most of the pub- 
Uc officers in Washington. 

12. At the next presidential election the most in- ^^hatis 
tense political excitement prevailed throughout the lhenfx\ 
country. The candidates were Messrs. Adams, Safeie"-' 

•^ ' tion? 

Crawford, Jacksoiij and Clay. Neither of these 
candidates having received a majority, the House 
of Representatives decided in favor of Mr. Adams. 
Mr. Calhoun of South CaroUna was elected vice 
president. 

13. After having been for fifty years in public what is 
life, Mr. Monroe found the quiet of his home in conciu- 

' 1 sion of 

Virginia peculiarly acceptable. Here he remained JJ^?^^"*" 
for a number of years, when he came to reside with 
his daughter in New York. On the 4th of July, 
1831, just five years after his illustrious predeces- 
sors, Adams and Jefferson, had quitted the scenes 
of their labors, he expired. He had passed the or- 



400 J. a. ADAMS' ADMINISTRATION. Part III 



1825 dinaiy boundary of human life, being over seventy- 
three years old. 
ivhatis ^^- Mr. Monroe possessed many of those traits 

¥tid of 

ttr.IV 

oc's 



Rtrain 
ment.8 .' 



Sl.Mon- necessary to form an able diplomatist. In making 
nentai UD his mind on any subject, he was never dazzled 
by the brilliant colormgs of his own imagination, 
nor led astray by any tormenting passion. Some 
may be greater, many as great, but ages may pass 
before one more fortunate will be found in the 
presidential chair of the Republic. 



CHAPTER IX. 

J. Q. ADAMS' ADMINISTRATION. 

FROM MARCH 4TH, 1825, TO MARCH 4TH, 1829. 

1. John Gluincv Adams was born at Gtuincy, in 

When -^ •^ ' 

where Massachusctts, in 1767. His father, John Adams, 
Adlms^' early identified himself with the liberties of his 
country ; and from the time that the colonies first 
whaUs began to writhe beneath the oppression of England, 
father? uHtil the closc of his presidential career, was ever 
by their side, cheering them on by words of hope 
and encouragement. Nursed in such a school, and 
rocked by that patriot father in the cradle of liber- 
ty, high hopes were formed of his future success, 
nor were these hopes disappointed. 

2. In early life he accompanied his father on his 

On what •' ^ 

liThe^o mission to France, and subsequently to England, 
mi *" where he was sent to negotiate peace. At the age 



Cbap. IX. ADAMs' EARLY LTFK. lOJ 

of eigliteeri he accompanied Mr. Dana, the minis- ig^^ 
ter to Russia, as his private secretary. On his re- 
turn, wishing to complete his education, he entered ^y^en 
Harvard College at Cambridge, and graduated there gJaduaie? 
m 1787. He then commenced the study of law in 
the office of Theophilus Parsons, chief-justice of the 
State, and in due time was admitted to the bar. 

3. In 1794 he was appointed resident minister to what 

» A honora- 

Netherlands, where he remained for a considerable ce^g^/id' 
length of time. Near the close of Washington's and^'what 
admmistration he was appomted minister to rortu- himi 
gal, but was afterward transferred to BerUn. In 
1802 he was elected to the State Senate, and in 
1806 to the Senate of the United States. Here he 
distinguished himself, not only as a sound diploma- 
tist, but as a fluent and eloquent speaker. 

4. But his country demanded his services abroad, 

and in 1809 he was appointed minister to Russia, filrme" 
Here he enjoyed the confidence and affection of the him^ 
Emperor Alexander, and established on a firm basis 
those friendly relations which have ever since been 
maintained with that nation. In 1817 he was ap- 
pointed minister to the court of St. James, where 
he was received with the respect due not only to the 
office, but to his distinguished talents. On the elec- 
tion of Mr. Monroe to the presidency, he made 
choice of Mr. Adams as secretary of state, in which 
position he proved himself as able in council as he 
had been in the Senate. In 1824 he was elected 
President of the United States. 

5. During the administration of Mr. Adams, the what of 

, , , , - - the coun 

country enjoyed contmued peace and unexampled try dur- 
Drosperity; manufactories increased, the arts and tmS'' 



402 J. Q.. ADAMS- ADMINISTRATION. 



Part 111 



find ot 
the next 
f)resiiien 
rial elec 

tlOJl ? 



1829 sciences flourished, and a general spirit of content 

and happiness prevailed throughout the country. 

whatoc- The 50th anniversary of American independence. 

thHoth" rendered memorable by the event which it celebra- 

anniver- ^ i mi • i i /• * • 

sary of tcd, was made still more so in the annals of Amen- 

our iiide- ' 

dence? ^^^ hjstory by the death of the two venerable ex- 
'^-^s. presidents, Adams and Jefferson. But few other 

What is 

events of historical interest occurred during this ad- 
ministration. The next presidential election was 
more closely contested than any preceding one. 
General Jackson was elected president, and John C. 
Calhoun vice president. 
What is G. Mr. Adams, at the close of his term of office. 

fiirther ' ' 

t't^f, retired to his farm ; but anxious to serve his coun- 

Mr. A a- ' 

urns] try, he shortly after was elected representative in 
Congress, w^hich office he retained until his death. 
Mr. Adams' history has been one of great interest. 
From early boyhood he was in public life, devoting 
the energies of his giant mind to the welfare of his 
country. He died at his post of duty, in the na- 
tion's Capitol, surrounded by the greatest of her 
sons. Csesar fell in the Senate House, but the 
hand of violence struck the blow. Adams died in 
the Capitol, with the nation at his side. Even the 
wife of his bosom retired from his couch, that his 
country might be the only mourner present when 
he expired. On Monday, February 21st, 1848, he 
was struck with paralysis, in his seat in the Hall 
of Representatives, and removed from thence to 
the Speaker's chamber, where he remained in a 
state of insensibility until a few moments before 
his death, which occurred on Wednesday, Feb- 
ruary 23d, at 7 o'clock P. M. His last words were. 
" T/iis is the last of earth ; I am content,'^'' 



chap. X. Jackson's early life. 403 

1829 

CHAPTER X. 

JACKSON'S ADMINISTRATION, 

FROM MARCH 4TH, 1829, TO MARCH 4TH, 1837. 

1. Andrew Jackson was born on the 15th of ^^en 

and 

Marcn, 1767, in Waxsaw, South CaroHna, a settle- ^if ® 
ment whither his family had emigrated from Ire- bomf*^ 
land, two years previous. Sliortly after his birth, 
his father died, leavino^ three sons to be provided 

' ^ . * What IS 

for by their mother. Slie determined to educate said of 

•/ his early 

Andrew for the clerical profession ; but scarcely ^^*^' 
had he entered on the study of the ancient lan- 
guages, when the revolutionary struggle com- 
menced, and at the age of fourteen he abandoned 
school for the colonial camp. The body of troops 
to which he was attached, was surprised by a large 
number of the enemy, and compelled to surrender. 
Jackson and his brother were kept in strict confine- said^of 

*■ his 

ment until they were exchanged, after the battle brothersi 
of Camden. His elder brother had previously per- 
ished in the service of the colony, and his younger 
brother shortly after died from a wound which he 
had received during his imprisonment. 

2. In 1786 he commenced the practice of law, 

and removed to Nashville in 1788, where profes- what oP 

' ^ * ^ fices did 

sional success immediately attended him. In 1796, *'^^'^- 
he was elected to the lower house of Congress, and 
delegated to the national senate in the following 
year, but resigned near the close of the session. 



404 JACKSON^S ADMINISTRATION. 



Part I II. 



18JJ9 alleging his distaste for the intrigues of politics. 
Within that period, he 'vas chosen major-general 
of the Tennessee militia^ and held the office until 
called to the same rank in the United States' ser- 
vice, 

3. As mention has already been made of his 
KdS^* iT^ilitary career, it would be useless to recapitulate 
flss'and here. In 1823 he was elected to the Senate of the 

1829 ? 

United States, but resigned his seat in the second 
session. In 1829 he was elected to the presidency 
of the United States. 

4. The condition of the United States at this 
waAhe time was one of unexampled prosperity. The 
g^gfj^^u. country was at peace with all nations; the na- 
tmfe? tional debt was in the course of rapid diminu- 
tion, and the treasury had within its vaults more 
than live millions of dollars. Agriculture, com- 
merce, and manufactures were in a highly flourish- 
ing state. 

5. In 1832, a bill for re-chartering the United 
^^^'^' States' Bank passed both houses of Congress, but 

What is was rctumcd b}' the President, with his objections; 
the bui not being repassed by a majority of two-thirds, the 
h^g^the* bank ceased to be a, national institution on the ex- 
Ba^k^/^^ piration of its charter, in 1836. During the spring 
of this year, hostilities were commenced by the Sac 
hostiii- and Fox Indians, on the western frontiers of the 

ties ^ 

out'^n United States, under the celebrated chief. Black 
this Fear? jj^^^^j^^ Geucrals Scott and Atkinson were sent 
against them, and after a harassing warfare they 
defeated the Indians, drove them beyond the Mis- 
sissippi, and took Black Hawk prisoner. 

6. The most intense excitement prevailed for a 



Chap. X. NULLIFICATION. 405 

time in South Carolina, respecting a tariff bill, im- i83 2 
posing additional duties on foreign goods, which had what is 
passed Congress in the summer of 1832. The Caro- the"^ tariff 
linians declared and boldly maintained, not only in 
their own State, but through the person of their illus- 
trious senator, John C. Calhoun, in the halls of Con- 
gress, that the act was unconstitutional, and that 
the duties should never be paid by South Carolina, 
and that if government persisted in the attempt to 
enforce the payment, they would withdraw from the 
United States, and establish an independent gov- 
ernment. 

7. This doctrine of declaring an act of Congress kow 

T 1 Till I • • r ^^^ ^^^^ 

null and void, was little relished by the majority of j5j^^J['J^ 
the nation, and the proclamation issued by the [-onT' 
President was generally popular with all parties, what 
He declared that the laws must be executed, and p^oda- 

mation 

that any opposition to their execution must be re- {^^^^^1 
pelled, by force, if necessary. ^'^^^^^ 

8. South Carolina still retained her hostile feel- 
ings, and determined on resistance. It would be 
impossible to tell what the sad result of this con- 
troversy might have been, had not Mr. Clay, of what is 
Kentucky, introduced a compromise bill, which ^^^l^^^' 
passed both houses of Congress, providing for the ^'^^^ 
gradual reduction of duties until 1843, when they 
were to sink to the general level of 20 per cent. In 
1833, Jackson was re-elected president, and Martin ^i'cteT'' 
Van Buren was chosen vice president. FnTsssT* 

9. In 1833, the President removed from the 
Bank of the United States the government funds ^^lUi 
deposited there, and transferred them to certain don^by 
State han^ks. This measure was strongly censured in is33? 



406 Jackson's administration. 



Part III. 



I8;i3 ^J ^'^^ opponents of the administration, who attri- 

whoop- buted the pecuniary distresses of 1836 and 1837 to 

thX^act? the war of the President upon the United States 

Bank. The President declared, that the bank had 

become the scourge of the people, and that the dis- 

Whatdid - - ° . . 

Jackson trcsscs of the country were owmer to its mismanafj^e- 

declare? JO o 

ment. 

10. In 1830, Congress passed a law authorizing 
What the President to remove tlie remaining Indian tribes, 

law did ... . , . 1 . I 

Congress mhabitmo^ our southern states, to a territory which 

pass m <-' } J 

1830? should be appropriated to their use. beyond the Mis- 
sissippi. With the Chickasa ws and Choctaw^s treaties 
What were made, by which they exchanged their lands, 
were^^ and Quictly removed to the country jQxed upon, west 

formed? ^ i a i t-» i /-,i i i i 

of the Arkansas. But the Cherokees were loth to 

leave their cultivated fields and pleasant homes, 

JJ'jjy ^j^g which they had surrounded Vv^ith the luxuries of 

kii^^un- civilized life. Too many interesting associations 

Kave^^" clustered around those runninar brooks, those hills 

their 

h>mes? and vales, where they had played in childhood, and 
where slept the ashes of their fathers. The spirits 
of the silent dead seemed looking dow^n upon them, 
and urging them not to desert their graves, and 
they boldly refused to go. 

11. It was the policy of Georgia to make their 
How did position as unpleasant as possible. They ac- 
fi^^ttYie cordingly extended over their territory the laws of 
ijidians? jj^gj^. s^ate, and, among other things, declared that 

Dec 20, no Indian, or descendant of an Indian, residing within 

1829 JO 

the Creek or Cherokee nations of Indians, should be 
said^of ^^^i^^d a competent witness, or party to any suit, 
^za^-on'^oi i*^ 3J^y court where a white man was defendant. 
vices? "^ The Cherokees had been civilized, and possessed a 



CHap. X. CEiEROKEES AND SEMINOLES. 407 

national government, and written laws, and now i835 
they asked, what right have the people of Georgia 
to exercise jurisdiction over us ? The Supreme whatdid 
Court of the United States had declared these acts pieme"*' 
to be unconstitutional ; yet the decision was disre- t^iaie? 
garded, and when they appealed to the President JJ^^l'^if 
for protection, he stated that he had no power to in- tSfsX 
terfere with the acts of a sovereign State. 

12. In 1835, a few of their chiefs sio^ned a treaty what 

' ^ -^ treaty 

for the sale of their lands, and a removal west of the ^^nedin 
Mississippi. Most of the Cherokees were opposed ^^^^^ 
to the treaty, but finding resistance would be in 
vain, they removed without bloodshed. The Sem- whatis 
inole Indians, however, refused to leave their coun- thasem- 

' ' moles ? 

try, declaring that the treaty executed in 1832, at 
Payne's landing, by which they agreed to re- 
move, was unfair and treacherous. Gen. Wiley 
Thompson was sent to Florida, to prepare for the 
emigration ; but Osceola, their most noted chief, 

Whal nf 

said, " They wished to rest in the land of their o^^eoia? 
fathers, and their children to sleep by their side," 
and strongly remonstrated against the proceedings 
of government. His proud bearing and haughty 
tones displeased Gen. Thompson, and he ordered 
the chieftain to be put in irons, and confined in 
prison. Osceola, in a day or two, affected peni- 
tence, signed the treaty to remove, and was re- 
leased — but not to fulfil the treaty, for he had de- 
termined on a deep and cruel revenge. 

13. At this time Gen. Chnch was at Port Drone, wha. 
Beinor in want of supplies, and in great dano^er situation 

* rr / fc) o of Gen. 

from the Indians, who surrounded him, Major Dade ^i'"^*^- 
was directed to march, with 117 men, from Fort f^Jj^'*/'''' 



4.08 Jackson's administration. p^^^ m. 

1835 Brook, at Tampa Bay, to his assistance. He had 

proceeded about eighty miles on his way, when on 

the morning of the 28th of December, he was sur- 

rounded by a band of Indians, and he, with all but 

four of his men, killed and horribly mangled. 

whatoc- 14. On the same day, Gen. Thompson, who w^as 

Port ^ dining with a convivial party at Fort King, within 

sight of the garrison, was surprised by a discharge 

. of musketry, which killed himself and five of the 

party. Osceola, at the head of the Indians, rushed 

in, and himself scalped the man who had dared place 

fetters on his free limbs, and then retreated, unmoles- 

Where 

wasGen. ted by the garrlsou. Shortly after. Gen. Clinch was 
attacked? attacked by the Indians, on the bank of the With- 
What is lacooche, and met considerable loss. TheSeminoles 
thesemi- now^ commcuced ravaging the country, burning the 

houses, and murdering whole families. Gen. Scott 

was now invested with the chief cor 

soon after ordered to the country 

and his place filled by Gen. Jessup. 
Who at- 15. In May, the Creeks commenced hostihties. 

tacked ' 

the In- settino: fire to houses, and murdering families, de- 

diansat J^ ' & ? ^ 

riiST stroying towns, burning steamboats, and ravaging 
the whole country. The governor of Georgia raised 
saidV^ troops, took the field in person, and was joined by 
Creek Gcu. Scott ou the 30th May. By their combined 
ties? efforts, peace was restored early in the summer, 
^^hat On the 16th of June, 1836, Arkansas and Michi- 
pkcem ran were admitted into the Union, on equal foot- 

June. ? ... . . , o II 

18361 ing ^ith the origmal States. At the next presi- 
dential election, Martin Van Buren, of New York, 
was chosen president, and Richard M. Johnson, of 
Kentucky, vice president. 



Who was now invested with the chief command, but was 

succeed- ' 

IcouT' soon after ordered to the country of the Creeks, 



Chap. X, DEATH OF JACKSON. 409 

16. On the expiration of his term of office, Gen. 1830 
Jackson retired to his farm in Nashville, where he ^^at^ 
resided until his death, which occurred June 8th, IhedL- 
1845, in the 78th year of his age. On the morning events o^ 
of the day on which he died, he swooned, and, for a sons ufe? 
time, was supposed to be dead ; but he soon after 
revived, and lived until evening. A short time be- 
fore his death, he took an affectionate leave of his 
friends and domestics, retaining to the last his 
senses and intellect unclouded. He expired vt^ith 

the utmost calmness, expressing the highest confi- 
dence in a happy immortality through the Re- 
deemer. 

17. Perhaps no statesman has ever had warmer ^^y^^^ 
friends or more bitter enemies. All admit, however, ciosfnl 
that he was an able general, and possessed strong de- ^^^^^ ^ 
termination of mind. Future generations, when the 
rancor of party feeling has subsided, will be enabled 

to form a more accurate estimate of his merits and 
demerits, than those who live when the waves of 
that sea of party strife on which he rode, are still 
dashing at their feet. 



CHAPTER XL 

VAN BUREN'S ADMINISTRATION, 

FROM MARCH 4TH, 1837, TO MARCH 4TH, 1841. 

1. Martin Van Buren was born at Kinderhook, ^^en 

' and 

m New York, Dec. 5th, 1782. His parents were ^as van 
of Dutch descent, and in humble circumstances, born" 

18 



410 VAN buren's administration. 



Part III. 



1831 Martin received his education at the academy of 
whatia ^^^^ native village, which he attended until the age 
f^Jfcct. of fourteen, when he commenced the study of law 

tnff V)1ft ____ 

educa- in the office of Francis Sylvester, Esq., in Kindei- 
hook. Here he remained until the last year of his 
professional study, which he spent in the office 
of William P. Van Ness, in the city of New 
York. 

2. In 1803 he commenced the practice of law in 
his native village, and was shortly after appointed 
surrogate of Columbia county. In 1809, on ac- 

What is /» 1 . ^ 1 . 1 . 1 

■t^ted of count of the increase ol his business, he removed to 

nis Iiie ' 

SSdifoir? the city of Hudson. He was elected State Senator 
in 1812, and in 1815 appointed Attorney-general 
of the State. Here he had ample opportunity to 
display the acuteness of his mind, and soon enjoyed 
the reputation of being one of the first lawyers in 
the State. 
i^That 3. In 1816, on account of his professional busi- 
honoTg- ness, he removed to the city of Albany. In 1821 he 
he^filH was elected to the Senate of the United States, 
where he distinguished himself as an eloquent 
speaker, and a skilful statesman. In 1828 he was 
elected Governor of New York, but resigr^ed the 
office in the following year to fill the post of Secre- 
tary of State, to which he had been appointed by 
Jackson. In 1831 he was sent as Minister Pleni- 
potentiary to England. In 1833 he was elected 
What vice president; and in 1837, president of the United 

caused o. x 
the spirit OtateS. 

[{^t^<^n 4 After the public moneys had been removed 
Lnd what from the United States Bank to the State banks, 
7oa»e'^^ the facilities for borrowing on credit w^ere greatly 

quoncvtf 



CUap. XI. COMMERCIAL DISTRESS. 411 

increased. Tlie old roads of honest industry were isat 
abandoned, and fortunes were made in an hour by 
speculation. Cities were planned in the wilder- 
ness, on the rocks, and the sea-coast below high 
w^ater mark ; and building lots sold at immense 
prices. This unnatural state of things had its cri- 
sis in 1837. Many having contracted large debts 
were obliged to fail, and in failing drew others into 
the vortex wMth them, until a large portion of the 
heaviest establishments in the country were com- 
pletely prostrated. The banks now stopped specie 
payment, and apprehension pervaded the whole 
mercantile community. 

5. During the months of March and April, the whatw 

^ . ^ ' said of 

failures in the city of New York alone amounted !Jl!/^:ii 
to more than one hundred millions of dollars. Men ySX? 
who had been living in affluence, and supposed 
themselves worth an independent fortune, retired 
in comparative ease and comfort at night, and awoke 
bankrupt and without a home in the morning. The 
banks where the public moneys w^ere deposited 
shared the common fate, and the question now arose, 
how was th3 government to meet its expenses, and 
what should be done with the public purse ? 

6. To decide these and other questions, an extra what 
session of Cono^ress was convened. The President thePres. 

^ ident 

recommended a mode for keeping the public funds, meXbr 
called the " sub-treasury scheme," which was re- feuo- 
jected by Congress. Treasury notes were ordered 
to be issued, and other measures taken to supply how did 

* rr J It suc- 

the wants of government. The pressure in the '*^^^' 
money market was gradually removed, and on the 
13tli of August the banks resumed specie payment; 



412 VAN BUREN's administration. Part III. 

1840 but it was a long lime before the country came back 

to its former prosperous condition. 
What is 7. The war with the Seminole Indians, in FIo- 
the sem lida, which was supposed to have been brought to 
^^^^ an end, again broke out with renewed fury. The 
Indians, hid in their swamps and everglades, hunt- 
ed down our troops and the inhabitants like wild 
osctoif? beasts. In October, Osceola and several principal 
chiefs, with about seventy warriors, came to the 
Bai/of American camp under a flasr of truce, and were 

the seiz- * o / 

Osceola? taken prisoners by order of Gen. Jessup. Osceola 

pined away, and shortly afterward died. The 

seizure of an enemy under a flag of truce, which 

was contrary not only to the usages of civilized, 

but of savage nations, was severely censured by 

many ; by others it was justified, from the fact that 

Osceola was treacherous, and that no treaties could 

bind him. The war continued, with varied fouccess 

on the part of our troops, until 1840, when it was 

brought to a close. 

vhat 8. The Sub-treasury bill, which was rejected by 

congrtss Cougrcss in 1837, was again introduced in 1840, 

^"^^^'^^ and passed both houses. The census of 1840 

What showed the population of the United States to be 

nsus of 17 068,666. Gen. William Henry Harrison, the 

hero of Tippecanoe and the Thames, was elected 

fk?he/^ president, and John Tyler, of Virginia, vice presi- 

vin V dent. Mr. Van Buren, on leaving the presidential 

chair, retired to his property at Kinderhook, where 

he now resides. 



Chap. XII. Harrison's early life. 413 

1841 

CHAPTER XII. 

HARRISON'S ADMINISTRATION, 

FROM MARCH 4th, 1841, TO APRIL 4th, 184L 

1. William Henry Harrison was born at Berk- whatw 
ley, on James river, twenty-five miles from Rich- ^^e birth 
mond, Virginia, in the year 1773. He was the ofmim 
youngest of three sons of Benjamin Harrison, a de 
scendant of the celebrated leader of the same name 

in the wars of Cromwell. His father was chairman 
of the committee of the whole house, when the 
Declaration of Independence was adopted, and was 
one of the illustrious signers of that act. 

2. At the age of seventeen, William Henry left ^^at 
Hampden Sydney College, and commenced the sjSli^d'id 
study of Medicine. The death of his distinguished ^^^^^ 
parent, irmnediately after his arrival in Philadel- dSd he^ 
phia, in 1791, to prosecute those studies, checked 

his professional aspirations ; and the note of pre- 
paration, which was sounding through the country 
for a campaign against the Indians of the west, 
decided his destiny. In opposition to the wishes 
of his guardian, he determined to enter the army, ^Qs^Sfa 
and received an ensign's commission from General the 
Washington. In the following year he was select- 
ed by General Wayne as one of his aids. After 
the treaty of Grenville, Harrison was left in com* 
mand of Fort Washington, now Cincinnati. 

3. Weary with a garrison life, he resigned his 
commission, and at the age of twenty-four was ap- 



4L4 Harrison's administration, 



Part III 



1841 pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. 
What of- I^^ 1799 he was elected the first delegate in Con- 
hfm-A gress from that extensive region now comprising 
in? the the States of Ohio, Indiana, lUinois, and Michi- 

army •' y / ; 

gan. 
What in- 4. In 1801 Harrison was appointed governor of 
him ^ ^^ Indiana Territory, a post of great responsibiUty. A 
Irmii^^ never-slumbering watchfulness was the means he 
used in keeping down Indian invasions. During 
the year 1811, the intrigues of the British agents 
stirred up the passions of the Indians, and rendered 
hostilities unavoidable. The events of this cam- 
paign have already been recorded. The judgment 
displayed in its prosecution, and the battles of Tip- 
whatis pecanoe and the Thames, have given Harrison a 
faid^^of high rank among heroes. In 1817 he resigned his 
hiseiecr commission, and retired to his farm at North Bend, 

tion as ' '' 

denu from which he w^as repeatedly called to represent 
the people in Congress. 

5. In 1824-5 he was elected to the Senate of the 
United States, and in 1828 appointed minister to 
Colombia. On his return to his country, he re- 
tired to the pursuit of agriculture at North Bend, 
where he remained until called by the voice of his 
What is country, in 1841, to the presidential chair. But his 
Ks'ad- administration was of short duration, for in one 
tion? month from the time when the shouts of thousands 
went up at his inauguration, he wab lying cold in 
death in the presidential mansion. 
Describe ^* ^^^ Thursday, the 25th of March, he caugh 
^auseof a slight cold from undue exposure, and on the day 
neUlts foUowinfr was overtaken in a shower, which in- 

progress, ^ 

Sea^h!' creased the symptoms. Continuing unwell on Satur- 



Chap. Xlt. 



Harrison's death. 415 



day, he was prevailed on to send for a physician, i^n 
who prescribed some medicine. On Sunday, his 
fever increased, accompanied with general symp- 
toms of pnemiionia. The disease now assumed an 
alarming character, and seemed, until his death, to 
bid defiance to the skill of his physicians. 

7. On Saturday morning he felt somewhat bet- 
ter, and requested the 103^ Psalm to be read ; 
Avhen it was concluded, in the presence of several 
of his family, he thanked the Lord for his good- 
ness, and seemed overpowered with deep emotion. 
At 6 o'clock on the same day, the physicians pro- 
nounced him beyond their skill. He gradually sunk 
into a state of stupor, from which he partially re- 
vived about 9 o'clock. Seeing his cabinet and his 
nearest friends around his bed — even in that last 
hour of his earthly existence, the welfare of his 
country lay near his heart, and he faintly uttered, 
'^I wish you to understand the true principles of 
government. I wish them carried out. I ask no- 
thing more." His breathings now became more 
difficult, and about half an hour after midnight on 
Sunday morning, April 4th, without a struggle, his 
spirit passed away from earth. 

8. He professed to be a Christian, and his friends ^v'mtJs 
who were acquainted with his life, and knew his JJ'^^^"" 
respect and affection for the cause of religion, and *^ "*'""' 
his intention in a few days of uniting with the 
church, entertained no doubt of his sincerity. The 
nation telt, as they received the news of the death 

of their President, that God w^as chastising them 
for theii sins ; and as they bent beneath the rod, 
they learned the important lesson, that '^ God only 



116 Tyler's administration p^^,.^ m 

184 1 is great." Party spirit was forgotten, and the whokj 
nation mourned together. 



Repeat 



Death ! Death in the White House ! Ah, ne\ . r before 



the Trod his skeleton foot on the President's floor ! 

ve^raeson jj^ ^^ looked for in hovel, and dreaded in hall — 

Sath. The king in his closet keeps hatchment and pall — - 



The youth in his birth-place, the old man at home, 
Make clean from the door-stone the path to the tomb; 
But the lord of this mansion was cradled not here — 
In a church-yard far off stands his beckoning bier ! 
He is here as the wave-crest heaves flashing on high 
As the arrow is stopped by its prize in the sky — 
The arrow to earth, and the foam to the shore — 
Death finds them, when swiftness and sparkles are o'er.' 



CHAPTER XIIL 

TYLER'S ADMINISTRATION, 

FROM APRIL 4TH, 1841, TO MARCH 4TH, 1845. 

What is 1. John Tyler was born in Charles city, Vir- 
the birth orinia, in 1789. His father, John Tyler, was a dis- 

ttiid pa- c5 * ' J 5 

Tyler?** tinguished man, and from 1808 to 1811 held the 
high office of governor of Virginia. Tyler was edu- 
cated at William and Mary College ; on leaving 
which, he commenced the study of law in the office 

his early of his father. At the age of twenty-one, he was 
elected to the State legislature, and from 1816 to 
1821 held a seat as representative in Congress. 
Here he distinguished himself not only as a work- 
ing man. but as a bold and fluent debater. In 1825 
he was elected governor of Virginia, and in 1827 to 



Cliap. XIII. DIFFICULTIES IN RHODE ISLAND. 417 

the United States Senate. In 1841 he was elected i84i 
vice president of the United States, but on the death 
of the lamented Harrison, by the Constitution, the 
duties of the presidential office devolved on him. 

2. Gen. Harrison had called an extra session of what 
Congress, to consider matters which he believed to some of 

° ' . . the acts 

be of vital importance to the nation. During its J'^fl^^^J 
session, the sub-treasury bill was repealed, a bank- ofco'" 
rupt law passed, and tw^o bills chartering a bank ^'^^^ 
of the United States Avere vetoed by the President, whatbiu 

•^ was ve- 

As this w^as one of the favorite measures of the ^^^^ 
whig party, the conduct of the executive caused jjow 
him to be denounced by them in no measured terms. SSf 
His entire cabinet were indignant at what they con- regarded! 
sidered his treachery toward his party, and with 
but one exception, resigned. In 1842 a dispute ^^^^ 
with England, respecting the north-eastern boun- whatoc- 
dary line, was negotiated between Mr. Webster and i842^?'^ *" 
Lord Ashburton. 

3. In this year, domestic difficulties commenced what is 
in Rhode Island. An attempt was made to settheditii 
aside the ancient charter, which had hitherto been which 

' occurred 

in force. One party adopted a constitution, and, ilif^ai^^ 
unauthorized by the laws of the State, elected a 
legislature, and chose Thomas W. Dorr governor. 
The law and order party also met, and chose Sam- 
uel W King governor. Both parties met in 1843 ^^^^^^ ^ 
and organized their government. The legally or- 
ganized party now attempted to put down what 
they considered a rebellion. The insurgents under 
Dorr appeared in arms, but were dispersed with but 
little resistance. The whole State was placed un- 
der martial law\ Dorr fled, but shortly after return- 

18* ^ 



418 Tyler's administration. Part hi. 

1843 ingj was tried for treason, and sentenced to be im- 
prisoned during life. In a short time, he was par- 
doned. In the mean time, a constitution for the 
State was adopted. 

What is 4. Texas was formerly a province of Mexico, and 

Texas; settled principally by emigrants from the U. States. 
In 1834, her citizens becoming displeased with what 
they considered the unjust and tyrannical policy of 
the Mexican government, declared themselves inde- 
pendent. A long and bloody war followed, which 
finally ended in the defeat of the Mexicans, and the 
establishment of a republican form of government 
in Texas. It had long been the wish of the Tex- 

treaty aus to be admitted into the Union as a State, when, 

was sub- 

con^reS in 1845, the President submitted to Congress a 
in 1845' lYQ^iy fov the annexation of that country to the 

United States. 
What is 5. The discussion of this question awakened the 

said of . . Ill* 

the dis- most mtense excitement, throughout the nation. 



cussion 



occa 
fiioned* 



occa-^'* The whig party strongly opposed it as a measure 
intended, to increase the limits of the slave territory, 
and to perpetuate in the country w^iat they consid- 
ered a foul blot on our national escutcheon. They 
contended, that w^e had territory enough without 
Texas, and independent of this, that we had no 
right to admit her into the Union. The democratic 
party contended, on the contrary, that we not only 
had the right, but were in duty bound, under the 
then existing state of affairs, to form with her a 
treaty of annexation. They insisted that Texas, 
as an independent and sovereign State, had full 
power to enter into any treaty with a foreign gov- 
ernment. Afteralonof and boisterous discussion in 



2 4.. 



22 



S'^/7/l# 




VuIcLdolici 



^w 

^V' 
^ 



^^M ZyTe7,'cuco 



^^^ 



LcrmcLi^ 
ToJuccL J: 












2l-J.L(ju^i Lucie ^Vccl 2 



frnni \V7j?:lii n ^Ids:'. 



J 



Cl*ap,XlV. EAELY LIFE OF POLK. 419 

Senate, the treaty was defeated b}^ a large ma- 1845 
jority. ^a/ 

6. At the next presidential election, James K. SS Sr^ 
Polk, of Tennessee, was elected president, and ty? 
George M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, vice president, ^a^** 
Mr. Tvler, at the close of his term of office, retired theVcxt 

•^ ' ' presi- 

to his estate in Virginia, where he now resides. ^^m? 



CHAPTER XIV. 

POLK'S ADMINISTRATION. 

FROM MARCH 4TH, 1845, TO MARCH 4TH, 1849. 

1. James K. Polk was the eldest of ten children, whatw 

said of 

and was born in Muhlenberg county. North Caro- ^^^^^^^ 
Una, on the 2d of November, 1795. His ancestral poik?"^ 
name, which was Pollock, was gradually abbrevi- 
ated to Polk. His father was an unpretending 
farmer, who, by industry, energy, and perseverance, 
had arisen from poverty to comparative wealth. In 
1806 he removed to Tennessee. James beins: of del- hiswrem 

o the time 

icate constitution, his father determined on educat- efecti^n 
ing him for commercial pursuits, and went so far ?residen- 

cy ? 

as to place him in a counting-house. But this em- 
ployment was exceedingly distasteful to him, and 
he pleaded so hard with his father that he would 
permit him to alter his course, that he at length 
consented. 

2. On leaving the counting-house, he entered 
upon a course of studies preparatory to college, and 
in 1818 graduated at the University of North Cara- 



420 folk's administration. 



Part 111 



1845 lina, with the highest honors of the institution. 
la the following year, he commenced the study of 
law in the office of Senator Grundy, and in the lat- 
ter part of 1820, was admitted to the bar. Here he 
met with great success, and soon became exten- 
sively known as an eloquent pleader, and a close 
and logical reasoner. In 1823 he was elected to 
the State Legislature, and in 1825 he took his seat 
as representative in Congress. In 1835 he wjis 
elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
and re-elected to the same important post in 
1837 In 1838 he was elected by a large majority, 
governor of Tennessee, and in 1844 president of the 

'^^ United States. 

*4"s^"' 3. During the session of Congress in 1845, a bill 

duW passed both houses, instructing the president to en- 

the ses- * ' & r 

con??ess ^^^' ^^^^ ^ treaty of annexation with Texas. The 
1111845? treaty was concluded the same year, and Texas 
outrages admitted into the Union as an independent State. 
Mexi 4. War with Mexico* — Causes, &c. — Almost 

cans ire- ' 

Commit- from the commencement of the Mexican republic, 
the '^^ outrages on the persons and property of American 

cans? 

* Mexico was discovered by Grizalvia, a Spanish navigator, 
in 1518. On the 2lst of April, 1519, Hernando Cortez, sent out 
by the Governor of Cuba, landed his force of 617 men where 
now stands the city of Vera Cruz. Mexico was inhabited by 
numerous warlike nations, who understood many of the arts of 
civilized life. In 1521, with his small force, Cortez had con- 
quered the whole country, and overturned the throne of Monte- 
zuma. From this time, Mexico was governed by viceroys from 
Spain, until 1822, when Iturbide was proclaimed emperor. 
From 1810 till 1820 insurrections against the home government 
prevailed throughout the country. In 1823 Iturbide was ban 
ished from the country ; and in 1824 a constitution was formed 
sinif ar to that of the United States. 



CHap. XIV. RELATIONS WITH MEXICO. 421 

citizens have been committed by Mexico, and re- 1945 
dress, although frequently demanded, has been 
either refused, or the subject evaded. On the 5th ^yy^^^ 
of April, 1831, a treaty of amity and navigation duLT' 
was concluded between the republics, yet scarcely the tw^. 

' ' "^ "^ countries 

had two months passed away, before fresh our rages '"issi? 
were perpetrated. 

5. In 1837, during the administration of Jack- whatde- 
son, a messenger was dispatched to Mexico, to was 
make a final demand for redress. This demand r'ackson 

in 1837, 

was made on the 20th of July. The Mexican gov- ^^at 
ernment expressed a wish for the continuation of repVof 

]V'Iexico? 

friendly feelings, and also promised that the diffi- 
culties should be settled. These solemn assurances 
were never fulfilled. 

6. On the 11th of August, 1840, a joint commis- ^^^y' 
sion was organized, the powers of which were to mLlo™' 
terminate in Februarv, 1842. The claims that gLt"" 
were allowed by this board, before the commission 
expired, amounted to two million, twenty-six thou- 
sand, one hundred and thirty-nine dollars, and 
sixty-eight cents. The amount of unsettled claims 

at that time was nine hundred and twenty-eight 
thousand, six hundred and twenty-seven dollars, 
and eight cents. 

7. On the 30th of January, 1843, a second con- ^^r|,^j,g 
vention was concluded between the two govern- theVc- 
ments, which declared that the interest due on the ventfo"? 
awards mad'e in favor of the claimants in the con- 
vention of 1840, should be paid to them on the 30th 

' ^ Have the 

of April, 1843, and the principal, with the interest ![j;;'^^- 
accruing thereon, in five years, in equal instalments 
every three months. Notwithstanding the payment 



tions 
been ful 
filled i 



422 folk's administration. Pait III. 

1845 ^f these sums was secured by treaty, yet the claiiu- 
whatis ^^^^ have only received the interest due on the 
ihe'^Mlx- 30th of April, 1843, and three out of the twenty in- 
rages? stalmeuts. Mexico has thus shown a want of good 
faith, in the repeated violation of solemn treaties. 
These outrages were, without doubt, one of the rea- 
sons for war ; yet we are to look to another quarter 
for the principal cause. 
wa%e 8- On the 29th of December, 1845, Texas was 
bSary admitted into tlie Union. The original boundary 
tween line betwecu Texas and Mexico was the Nueces, 

Texas ' 

amiMex- ^^^ ^^^ ^[^^ IQt^h of December, 1836, a few months 
When after the establishment of the Texan independence, 
dafmed her Con^fress passed an act in which they declared # 

by Texas ° ^ . "^ 

and how? {[^q rjq Graudc, from its mouth to Us source, to be 
MeSco"^ its boundary. The Nueces was held to be the boun- 
r.iain? dary line by the Mexicans, and the territory between 
What the two rivers claimed by that government. Mexi- 

feelings . . 

fco'^minT ^^ ^^^^ long manifested hostile feelings toward 
towird Texas, and had frequently threatened to send troops 
to reduce to submission what she considered a re- 
volted province. 
What 9. On the admission of Texas into the Union, 

was Tay- ' 



'reeled to ^^^- Taylor was directed to proceed with a small 
^°' force to some position west of the Nueces, that he 
didTe might be in readiness to repel any attempt at inva- 
an^^how sion by Mexico. In August, 1845, he encamped at 
main?" Corpus Christi, on the west side of the Nueces, where 



What in- he remained six months in perfect quiet, there being 

no attempts at invasion by the Mexicans. During 

d, this time our government had been informed, that 

wasTay- it was the intention of Paredes to assemble a lartre 

.or di- ^ '=^ 

tested to g^|.j)fjy on the Rio Grande, for the invasion of Texas, 



*brma 
tion had 
our gov- 
ernment 
receive 
and what 



Chap. XIV. FORT POLK AND FORT BROWN. 423 

they therefore directed Taylor to advance, and oc- tsie 
ciipy the east bank of the Rio Grande, opposite 
Matamoras. 

10. Taylor commenced his march on the 8th of ^hen 
March, 1846. On the 20th he reached the Colo- cl"^ 
rado, where he was met by Gen. Mejia with a small ^^^^^ ^ 
force, who informed him that if he crossed the river 

it would be considered a declaration of war, and 
would be immediately followed by actual hostih- 
ties. Taylor crossed the river without resistance, 
and marched to Point Isabel. The inhabitants pro- hfs^^" ® 
tested agamst the occupation oi any portion of then* ^^^^^^^ 
territory by the Americans, set fire to the public 
buildings, and abandoned the place. Taylor fixed 
on this point as a depot for provisions ; and hav- 
ing made preparations for the erection of Fort 
Polk, moved forward, and reached the Rio Grande 
opposite Matamoras on the 28th of March. 

11. In the mean time, Mr. Slidell, an asrent of whatu 

' ' o said of 

the United States, was in Mexico, insisting on ^^nf^' 
being received as a plenipotentiary, while Mexico 
would only recognize him as a commissioner. Mr. 
Shdell was finally compelled to withdraw from the 
countrv. General Taylor, on arriving before Mata- Taylor' 

•' . . . . tlo on at» 

moras, placed his cannon in a position so as to [[^'^"^j^^ 
command the streets of the city, and shortly after ^'^'^"'^^ ' 
erected Fort Brown. 

12. These measmes, adopted by the president, what is 

1-1 11111. 1 S'»^ «*' 

by which our troops crossed the boundary clanned the 

*^ » J. meas- 

by Mexico, were considered by a large portion of adoote.i 
the people of the United States as impolitic, if not preJ^^ 
unjust ; and the occupation of a territory by our 
troops, which at least was a subject of dispute, was 



424 folk's administration. p^rt III, 

1846 fleeiiied by many a belligerent act. Gen. Ampudia 
What did ^^ considered it, and notified the American general 
dif and to retire beyond the Nueces, within twenty-four 
doi^ hours. On the 24th of April, Gen. Arista super- 
seded Ampudia in command, and communicated 
to Taylor, that he considered hostilities com- 
menced. 

13. On the 23d of April, Gen. Taylor received 

intimation that a large body of Mexicans had 

whatis crossed the Rio Grande, and on the following day 

Thorn- dispatchcd Capt. Thornton with a small force to 

reconoitre ; but in charging the Mexicans, he 

was captured, and his men either killed or taken 

Tayfor^''^ prisoucrs. Ou the 29th, information reached Gen. 

Point Is- Taylor that Point Isabel was surrounded by the 

abel on -^ ^ "^ 

the 29th? enemy and in danger. Taylor immediately made 
preparations to go to its rehef, and open a commu- 
nication between the two posts. On the 1st of 
What or- May, he departed with the main body of the army, 
he leave? Icaviug oi'dcrs to defend the fort to the last, and if 

surrounded, to fire signal guns. 
tSf^ 14. On the 3d, the enemy, taking advantage 

fhe'^sdT of the absence of Taylor, opened their guns on the 
fort, and the holy quiet of that Sabbath day was 
broken by the thunder of cannon. From this time 
till Saturday, shells and shot were constantly flying 
over the heads of that devoted band, shut up with- 
in the intrenchments, with but four hundred rounds 
of ammunition. At the end of three days, Arista 
sent a summons to the fort to surrender, declaring 

mons did . i i • i i i 

Arista that 11 it was uot obeyed in one hour, he would 

send to "^ ' 

Imiwhat pu^ ^^^^ g^i'^ison to the sword. A council of war 
r^'epiy^T^^ was Called, and the question put to the youngest 



What 
Slim- 



Cljoii. XIV. BATTLE OF PALO AT TO. 426 

first. His short reply, ^^ Defend the fort to ^Ae 18*6 
death /" was echoed from lip to Hp, and in thirty 
minutes the guns of the enemy were raining balls 
on the intrenchments, and that brave garrison coolly 
prepared for the death-grapple with their foe. 

15. Previous to this, signal guns had been fired ; how did 
as the heavy reports broke in dull and distant hear of 

•^ A this con- 

echoes over Point Isabel, and Taylor stood and ^^'^• 
hstened, he remembered the smaliness of tfte garri- 
son he had left behind and the number of the ene- whatdid 
my, and on the 7th commenced his march, saying, when^he 
"If I meet the enemy, I will fight them." On the \^l^l^, 
yth, he came in sight of the enemy at Palo Alto,* Mays. 
drawn up in order of battle, stretching a mile and dTd^^ife 
a half across the plain, alonsr the ediJ^e of a chap- with the 

* ' '-' '~ *■ enemy, 

parel ; a little in advance, on the left, were the ^"ere^""^ 
lancers, a thousand strong, while throughout the a^ld''^"^ 
rest of the line were masses of infantry and bat- 
teries, placed alternately. 

16. Our army was immediately formed in order How 

*^ ^ ^^as our 

of battle. Gen. Twiggs commanded the right, f™^^'^ 
composed of the 3d, 4th, and 5th infantry and [fe/'''^* 
Ringgold's artillery. Lieut. Churchill commanded 
the two 18 pounders in the centre, while Col. Bel 
knap was placed over the left, composed of Dun- 
can's artillery and 8th infantry. The battle com- said ot 
menced Ringgold opened his battery on the right glteryi 
with terrible effect, the deadly precision of his guns 
sweeping down platoons at every discharge. On 
the left, Duncan poured in his destructive volleys ^an'I^anlj 

. ^ 1 . 1 . 1 -1 • 1 ot the 

in fierce and rapid succession, while in the centre centre i 
the two 18 pounders shook the field with their 

* Pronounced Pah-lo-alto. 



426 



folk's A^.'^MINISTRATION. 



Part III 



1846 steady fire, as, slowly advancing, they sent death 
through the Mexican ranks. 




GEN. ZACHARY TAYLOR. 



17. The shot of the enemy told on our ranko 
^^'haUs severely ; but the soldiers, cool as veterans, kept 
diers^^^' their position without a murmur. Ringgold, while 

seated on his horse, received a shot, which pass- 

sai/o? ed through his horse, cutting in two the pistob 

old? in ing holsters, and tearing away the flesh from 

both his legs, from his knees upward. As he fell 



Cliap. XIV, 



COUNCIL OF WAR. 437 



some officers gathered around, but, he waved them 1946 
away, saying, " Leave me alone, you are needed 
forward." The sun went down on the field of 
blood ; and as his departing rays struggled for a 
moment to pierce the cloud that curtained in the ^vhatj? 

*■ said 01 

(wo armies, the firing ceased, and the battle of ci'osingoi 
Palo Alto was over. Our little army encamped on tie^ and 
the field amid their dead and dying companions. °^^^j^^®' 
With 2,300 men, Taylor had beat 6,000, and killed 
and wounded nearly 400, with a loss of only 9 
killed and 42 wounded. 

18. The weary night wore away. Ringgold 
lay dying — Page, speechless and faint — and many 
of our brave men stretched on the field of their 
fame, wounded or dying, while hundreds of the 
enem.y made the night hideous with their cries and 
groans. That was an anxious night for the hrave^^^J^^^ ^^ 
Taylor. He was within a short distance of the the*^situa. 
fort, but far from reinforcements ; while the ene- tujIo?, 
my withm reach of help from Matamoras, were ^j^^^ ^e 
resolved to dispute his entiance. In this position 

he called a council of war. Only a few were in 
favor of advancing, while the remainder advised 
to intrench where the}^ were, or retreat to Point ^^^^^^ 
Isabel. When all had spoken, the brave veteran JedsiSn 
said, " 1 will be at Fort Brown before niglit, if I Uve." councfn 

19. There spoke out the spirit of the true hero, 

^ ^ ^ . ^ What 

the same that on the heights of Bennington ex- ^myt 
claimed, as the sword pointed to the enemy moving {gS in 
to battle, " Those red coats, nien^ before night they an/wen 
are ours, or Mary Stark's a loidoio P'' — the same 
that uttered, in the very blaze of the hotly worked 
battery at Lundy's Lane, " Til try sir /" — the same, 



428 folk's administration. Part hi. 

1846 that on the rending decks of the Che&apeake, 
faintly murmured, '^ DonH give up the ship P"^ It 
was a noble resolution to save the garrison, or leave 
his body at the foot of the walls, and right nobly 
was it carried out. 

20. The next day, Taylor recommenced his 
march, and soon came up with the enemy, occupy- 

«ow inff a stronff position on the farther side of a ra- 

was the ^ . . 

Sefend" viuc. Eight picccs of artillery, divided into three 
®^- portions, defended this position — one on the left side 
May 9. Qf ^YiQ road, one on the right, and another in the 
centre. Scarcely were our troops in order of bat- 
what tie, when the artillery of the enemy opened and 
BTOn^ rained a shower of balls on our ranks, and the bat 

com- 

menced? tie of Rcsaca de la Palma"^ commenced. 
Describe ^^' ^'^® ^^^^ ^^'^^ swcpt at cvcry discharge with 
tll^ ^^^' grape-shot and balls. On the right, our men, ad- 
vancing through the chapparel, had outflanked the 
enemy, and were pouring in their well-directed 
volleys ; while on the left, the incessant flash 
of musketry, drowned now and then by the roar 
of cannon and shouts of the men, told how fierce 
Zitof ^^^^s the conflict. The battery of Ridgely kept 
ly'slfat- steadily advancing, like a moving volcano, sweep- 
ing down the enemy at every discharge like grass 
before the scythe. 
What IS 22. The whole army fought with unparalleled 
^.■^' bravery, led on by officers as brave as ever trod a 
battle field. From the outset, our army steadily 
advanced on every side, except along the road 
where the central battery was playing. At length, 
goaded to madness by the galling fire kept up 
* ProTioonced Ra}'-sah-cah-day-la3^-Pal-mah. 



Chap. XIV. RESACA DE LA PALMA. 429 

from those few pieces, and seeing that the wliole is 40 
battle rested there, Gen. Taylor ordered Capt. May 
to charge the battery with his dragoons. His words de^^Z^' 
were, " Yb?/ must take it r May wheeled on his capt 

' ^ , . -^ May 7 

steed, and said to his followers, ^^Men, we must take 
that battery .'" 

23. In a moment those eighty-two stern riders 
were moving in a dark mass along the road, headed Describe 
by their fearless commander. The next moment charge? 
the bugle sounded to the charge, and the black and 
driving mass swept like a thunder-cloud to the 
shock. A whirlwind of dust marked their career. 
The attention of the army was directed to this des- 
perate charge. The muffled tramp could be heard 

as they broke into a gallop, and rushed forward to 
the muzzles of the guns. In advance was seen 
the commanding form of May, as, mounted on his 
powerful charger, he rode fiercely on, with his hair 
streaming in the wind, while behind flashed the 
sabres of his followers. 

24. One discharge tore through them, stretching 
nearly a third of his company and half of his what is 
horses on the ground ; but when the smoke lifted, May^ ^^^ 
there was still seen the war-horse of May leaping chaVe? 
the ditch, breastwork and all, his remaining followers 
pressing on, riding down the artillery-men at their 
pieces, and bursting through the Mexican lines. A 

wild hurrah went up from the entire army when they 
saw those fierce dragoons clear the breastwork. The 
infantry now rushed forward with, furious shouts, 
driving the enemy before them. The battle then ^j^^^^^ 
became a rout, and the affrighted Mexicans rolled Icans^^"* 
furiously toward the river, to escape to Matamoras. 



430 folk's administration. p^^t m. 

1846 25. The garrison at Fort Brown had stood and 
What of listened to the sound of the heavy cannonading of 
eof/lt"' the two days' fight. When the cavahy, plunging 
Brown? wildly over the plain, emerged into vieWj they 
mounted the rampart, and under the folds of their 
flag, that still floated proudly in the breeze, sent up 
the shout of victory. Three thousand five Hun- 
dred shots had been fired into that single fort, and 
What yet but two men had been killed. The Mexicans 

was the 

both**" ^^^^ their whole artillery, 2,000 stand of arm, 600 
Bides? mules, together with Gen. Arista's private papers, 
and Gen. Vega himself, whom May had made 
prisoner in his charge, and about 250 killed and 
GOO wounded. The American loss was 39 killed 
and 82 wounded. Both these battles were fought 
against a vastly superior force. 

26. On the morning of the 17th, Gen. Taylor hav- 

What . - . ° , . ^ . /> TIT 

message mg made preparations to obtam possession oi Mat- 
se^fclTo amoras,* sent to the Mexican general, demanding 
the^Mex- j^^ surrender, together wnth all the public property 

general? . , . ' ,^ . . , . ., f , , , 

in the city, and giving nim until three oclock to 
decide. In the mean time, a communication was 
wa^s\e ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ prefect, who replied, Taylor could enter 
•■^p^y- whenever he chose. On the 18th he took posses- 
sion of the city, and found it deserted by Arista^ 
and a large number of cannon thrown into wells 
Gen. Taylor, though in possession of Matamoras, 
Tavior"°* fouud it impossiblc to follow up his success from 
hilTic"^ the want of troops and supplies, and was com- 



Less 



* Matamoras is situated 28 miles from Point Isabel, six from 
Palo Alto, and three from Resaca de la Palma. It contains a 
population of 10,000. [See Map.] 



Chap. XIV. SIEGE OF MONTEREY. 43i. 

pelled to remain inactive at this post the gi eater part i84« 
of the summer. In the mean time, a large force vv^ho 
had been concentrated at Monterey, the capital of mSded 

the Mex 

New Leon, under the command of Gen. Ampudia. jpan^^ ^^ 

27. On the 7th of September, Gen. Taylor hav- i^f'' 
ing received reinforcements, marched from Mata- what 
moras; and on the 19tlj, with 6,600 troops, en-mentaid 
camped at Walnut Spring, under the walls of Mon- '^'^ll^^^ 
terey,* then strongly fortified by nature and art, and 
garrisoned by an army of 10,000 men. The nar- thiZnt 
row streets of the city were barricaded with huge 
piles of masonry ; while the houses, most of which 

had but one story, with flat roofs and battle- 
ments breast high, were fortifications, from which, 
as well as from their windows, a deadly fire could 
be poured on an advancing foe. The city was for- 
tified with thick stone walls, and strengthened by 
ditches and bastions. 

28. To the west, on a steep eminence crowned how 

' *■ was the 

with stones, stood the Bishop's Palace, a fort ^^2?^'^' 
strongly fortified ; on the north, a strong and 
massive citadel, and on the east three forts, while 
the river San Juan flowed along the east and 
south. These defenses were mounted with forty 
pieces of artillery, and manned by more than 
10,000 men. Notw^ithstanding the strength of 
the position and the difference in their forces, Tay- 
lor determined to take the city, and nobly did he what 

-^ ^ '' was the 

succeed. The order of attack was formed in three ^^^^fi 
divisions ; the first under Gen. Twiggs, the second 

* Monterey is a mountain city, about 170 miles from Mata- 
moras It is the capital of New Leon, and contains 15,000 in- 
habitants. 



432 POLK'S ADMINISTRATION. 



Pari III, 



1846 under Gen. Worth, and the third under Gen. But- 
ler. General Worth was to attack the heights, 
while Gen. Taylor, with the other two divisions, 
was to favor this movement by a division on the 
east and north. 

tife^lt! 29. On the evening of the 21st of September the 

*^®* battle commenced, and raged with great fury for 
three days. The Bishop's Palace was stormed, 
and the guns turned upon the Mexicans, and all 
the strong points in and about the city successively 
carried. As our army advanced into the city, the 
fight became terrific. From every door^ window, 
and house-top, a deadly fire was poured upon our 
troops ; yet still they advanced, fighting hand to 
hand, until by night on the 23d the troops of duit- 
man and Worth had nearly met each other at the 
main plaza. 

sept. 24. 30. On the following morning Gen. Ampudia 
surrendered the city. The Mexicans were allowed 

What to retire with their arms. An armistice was conclud- 

were the 

8urreri°^ cd ou to coutiuue eight weeks, or until instructions 

from government should be received. The Ameri- 

what can loss was 125 killed and 350 wounded. The 

was the 

iSth°" Mexican loss was estimated at about 1,000 killed 

sides? ^^^ wounded. This contest, inw^hich a large force 

strongly fortified was overcome by a smaller, forms 

a brilliant chapter in the pages of history. 

itruc- ***" 31. On the 2d of November, Gen. Taylor received 

tions did . . 

TaSor instructions from government to termmate the ar- 
fromgov- mistice. He accordingly notified Ampudia that it 
whTtTs would end on the 13th of November. Santa Anna, 
Santa** fomierlv President of Mexico, w^ho was a short time 

Anna ? 

before banished from the country, had been recalled, 



Clistp. XIV. SCOTT ARRIVES IN MEXICO. 433 

placed at the head of affairs, and Paredes deposed. i84T 
Before December, he had succeeded in raising an 
army of 20,000 men, and concentrating them at San 
Luis Potosi, which lie strongly fortified. 

32. In the mean time, Gen. Winfield Scott^ had ^^^-o 

' was the 

been appointed Commander-in-chief of all the land ^^;^,e, 
forces in Mexico, and directed to withdraw from Imer^ 
Gen. Taylor nearly all the regulars under his com- forces iu 

•^ "^ ^ ^ ^ Mexico 

mand, and proceed south to obtain possession of ^^^, ^.^ 
Vera Cruz. Taylor was deeply chagrined at this receive 
intellisrence. The idea of partiner with the veteran li/ei'cL^ " 

.^ . /. 1 . , that he 

v/arnors of Monterey was pamful ui the extreme. '^.^ with 
Not only were most of the regular troops withdrawn t^Jips^ 
from him, but Gen. Worth was ordered to march Dec. 
at the head of them, from his post at Saltillo, to- 
ward Vera Cruz; while Taylor was directed to 
fall back on Monterey, and await the arrival of re- 
cruits. 

33. In February, Taylor had received reinforce- whatre- 

-r . , ,1 infoice- 

ments. Learmno: that an attempt was about to be ments 

^ ^ ^ did Tay- 

made by Santa Anna to possess himself of the line jpjjyg'^ 
of posts between himself and Matamoras, he de- 
termined to meet the Mexican President. On the KeteJ- 
20th of February he was encamped at Agua Nueva, ^o? 
about eighteen miles south of Saltillo, with a force ^^^^^ 
of 5,000 men. Here he learned that Santa Anna, JJJ^j;?^ 
at the head of 20,000 men, was twenty miles dis- make* 



* Gen. Scott was born on the I3tli of June, 1786, near Peters- 
burgh, in Virginia. In May, 1808, he received a captain's 
commission in the aimy of the United States. From this o/fice 
he has gradually risen, by his bravery and talents, to his present 
distinguished post of Commander-in-chief of the United States 
army. 

19 



434 folk's a3Mii\xstration. part hi 

1847 tant. Taylor immediately fell back to Buena 
Vista, seven miles from Saltillo. 

34. On the morning of the 22d, the American 
"e^Tay- troops wcre drawn up in order of battle, in a posi- 
'o^itlji*? ^^^^ ^^ great strength. Taylor thus describes it : 
" The road at this point becomes a narrow defile, 
the valley on the right being full of impassable gul- 
Ues, while on the left rugged ridges extended far 
back to the mountains. The ground was such as 
nearly to paralyze the artillery and cavalry of the 
enem3^ Capt. Washington's battery was posted to 
command the road ; another force under Cols. Har- 
din and Bissel occupied the crests of the ridges on 
the left and in the rear, and a small force under 
Cols. Yell and Marshall occupied the left near the 
base of the mountain, while another body was held 
in reserve." 
.^w^s^did ^^' -^^ eleven o'clock. Taylor received a commu- 
receive uicatiou from Santa Anna, telling him that he 
Santa was surrouudcd by 20,000 men, and that if he 

Anna? '^ ^ ' 

would surrender, he should be treated with con- 
aicepf sideration. Taylor declined acceding to this very 
'***^^^'' courteous request,* and on the following morning 

* On the 21st considerable firing occurred on the part of the 
Mexicans, which was not answered by our forces. An officer 
was dispatched to Taylor from the Mexican lines. He found 
him sitting on his white horse, with one leg over the pom- 
mel of the saddle, quietly watching the movements of the enemy. 
The officer stated that '' he had been sent by Santa Anna to in- 
quire what he was waiting for." Taylor replied, " he was onlv 
waiting for Santa Anna to surrender." The officer returned, 
and shortly after the battery seemed to open on Taylor's posi- 
tion, but there he sat, indifferent to the perils ol his situation, 
coolly peering at the enemy through a spy-gias& His officers 



Clmp. XIV. BATTLE OF BXJENA VISTA. 



435 



tlie battle of Buena Vista commenced. The sun \s^i 
that day looked on a battle as bravely fought as 
any in American history. Five thousand troops, Describe 
most of whom a fevi^ months before were pursuing tie^ 
the quiet walks of civil life, now stood face to face Feb.sa. 
with 20,000 soldiers, the flower of the Mexican 
army ; yet that httle army never quailed, but with 
the coolness and firmness of the veterans of a hun- 
dred fields, poured their volleys with terrible preci- 
sion into the midst of the advancing foe,* or like 
a thunderbolt swept them away in the deadly 
charge. 

36. Washington's, Sherman's, and Bragg's bat- 
teries poured forth an incessant sheet of flame, 
while the infantry sent showers of leaden hail 
into the opposing columns. At length darkness 
closed the contest. The loss on the American what 

was tha 

side was 267 killed, 456 wounded, and 23 missing, {^ff^^" 
The Mexican loss in killed and w^ounded w^as esti- ^o^und 
mated at 2,000. '"^^ 

The next day, the Mexican army retired to San 
Louis Potosi, leaving behind them hundreds of 
dead and dying. Among the brave officers who fell wha^ 
on that day, none were more lamented than Capt. ?J 

suggested that old " Whity" was too conspicuous a charger for 
the commander, but he replied, " that the old fellow had missed 
the fun at Monterey, and that he should have his share this 
time." 

* A body of Mexican infantry had been detached from the 
main army, and were being cut down with great slaughter. Mr. 
Crittenden was sent to them to ask them to surrender. He was 
carried before Santa Anna, who told him if Taylor would sur- 
I snder he would be protected. Mr. Crittenden replied — *' Gen, 
Taylor never surrender s^ 



officers 



i36 folk's administration. 



Part III, 



1846 Lincoln. Cols. McKee, Harden, Fell, Davis, ^nd 
Clay. After this victory, Gen. Taylor remained in 
garrison at Saltillo and Monterey. 
In the 37. In following the career of our brave army 
Hme" under Gen. Taylor in Mexico, little mention has 
jiad been been made of the transactions of government at 

done by ^ O 

mentT homc, that the events of both might be presented 
in a connected chain. Shortly after Taylor had 
received instructions to move on to a position near 
the Rio Grande, Congress authorized the President 
to accept the services of 50,000 volunteers ; at the 
same time it adopted measures to increase the reg- 
ular army several thousands. 

What 38. On the 13th of May, 1846, Mr. Polk issued 

procla- 

was'?s" ^ proclamation, stating that Congress, by virtue of 
Mr.'poik? the constitutional authority vested in it, has de- 
clared, " that by the act of the Repul)lic of Mex- 
ico, a state of war exists between the two govern- 
ments ;" and calling on the people of the United 
States to support such measures as might be adopted 
newf ar- fo*" obtaining a speedy, just, and honorable peace 
nboit About this time, the news of the splendid victories 

this ' * 

time? of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma was received 
at Washington, and spread like wiidlire through 
^y^^^ the country. Congress passed a vote of thanks to 
by'ciT^ Gen. Taylor and the officers and men under his 
^^^^^^ command. Taylor* was breveted major-general, 
and Twiggs brigadier-general. 



* Gen. Zachary Taylor was born in Orange county, Va., in 
the year 1790. Soon after his oirth, his father removed to Ken- 
tucky, and settled near Louisville. In 1808 Gen. Taylor entered 
tne army as a lieutenant. Daring the last war with England 
he bore a conspicuous part, and for his splendid defense o[ Fori 



Cliap. XIV. SIEGE OF VERA CRUZ. 



437 



39. On the 16th of June, 1846, a dispute, which 1846 
had long existed between Great Britain and Amer- ^vhen 
ica, respecting the boundary line of Oregon, was dispute® 
settled on the limits of fortv-nine decrees and the boundary 

•^ ^ question 

straits of Juan de Fuca. On the 23d of November, '^"'^^- 

On wh'it 

1846, Gen. Scott received orders from the Secretary I'^^i^s? 



of War to repair to Mexico, and take command of dersdid" 
the forces there assembled. Vera Cruz beins: con- scottre- 

c> ceive on^ 

sidered the key to the city of Mexico, his operations Novfi846i 
were to be directed against that place. He reached 
the Rio Grande on the 1st of January, 1847, when hed^o?' 
he found it necessary, to obtain a sufficient force to 

•^ ' What 

attack Vera Cruz, to withdraw nearly all the reg- g^^^^^j^^" 
ular troops from the army under Gen. Taylor. The folif?^ 
rendezvous of the troops \\ a.G at the island of Lobos, 
about 125 miles north of the city of Vera Cruz. 

"Where 

From this place they embarked to the number of did the 

* "^ troops 

12,000, on board Commodore Connoi's fleet, and '^"^' 
on the 9th of March, anchored between Sacrificios 
and the shore. 

40. The landinsr was effected with the greatest Describe 

. . • . . r ^ 11? the land 

regularity m sixty-nve surf boats; and before ten i"^- 
at night, the whole army had reached the shore 
without resistance. A northerly v/ind now set in, 
which prevented the landing of the heavy ordnance ^j^^^ 
for a number of days. On the 22d, every thing S's 
being: in readiness to commence the sie^e, Gen. to the 

^ . Mexican 

Scott sent a summons to the Mexican commander ^^^er* 
to surrender the city. In this summons he allowed 

Harrison was promoted to the rank of major. In the Indian war 
in Florida he was distinguished for his bravery and judgment. 
Pr moted to the rank of general, in 1840 he was appointed to 
the command of the southern department of the army. 



438 



POLK'S ADMINISTRATION. 



Part III, 



1817 



How 

Wiis it 
received J 



Oescribe 
the at- 
raok, 



What is 
paid of 
San Juan 
deUlloa? 



>V^hat 
wajj done 
by the 
\Iexican 
com- 
mander? 



ample time for non-combatants, who wished to leave 
the city, to retire, and take w^hat property they pleased. 
The smnmons to surrender was rejected, and shortly 
after, the batteries opened on the city. From this 
time until the morning of the 26th, the cannonading 
was continued with but slight intermission. 

41. The scene was one of awful sublimity. The 
darkness of night was illuminated by blazing 
shells circling through the air, while the roar of 
artillery, and the crash of frilling houses, mingled 
with the shrieks of the wounded and terror-stricken. 
The sea was reddened by the glare of burning 
buildings and the broadsides of the ships. The 
castle of San .fuan de Ulloa was girded with sheets 
of flame, as her cannon thundered forth their bold 
defiance. The accumulated science of ages, ap- 
phed to the military art, before Vera Cruz, dis- 
played the fullness of its destructive power. 

42. On the 26thj the Mexican governor made 




LANDING or mi^mmMf^SarvLfic T 

iMii'^***^ '\\ i I a\\\\\. 



Vera Cruz is the principal sea-port 
of Mexico, and contains about 10,000 
inhabitants. It was founded by 
Cortez in 1519. Directly opposite 
the city is the island of San Juan de 
Ulloti.on which stands an immense 
fortress, in a position to command 
the whole harbor. Tnis fortress is 
one of the strongest in the world, 
and was supposed to be imprei?na- 
ble. The city is surrounde(' by sand- 
hills, which are constantly shiUing 
under the heavy winds. This grtatly 
impeded our trooii in their attack- 
on the city. 



Chap. XI -r. NAVAL EVENTS. 439 

overtures of surrender; and on the 27th, the ait"- ^ eli- 
des of capitulation were signed. The city, and th<5 
castle of San Juan de Ulloaj one of the strongest 
fortresses in the world, together with upward of 
four thousand prisoners, between six and seven hun- v'hat 

^ ' was th? 

(ired cannon, and about ten thousand stand of SJ'|"iJ.^J 
small arms, fell into the iiands of the Americans. ^^^' 
This victory, obtained with the loss of few men, 
on our side, considering it in a military point of 
view, was one of the most glorious in the records 
of modern warfare. 

43. Naval Events. — The squadron in the what is 

*■ said of 

Pacific, under Commodores Sloat and Stockton, g^Jadroi 
during the summer of 1846, was principally em- padSfin 
ployed in subjugating California; and on the 22d 
of August the flag of the United States was waving 
over almost every commanding position within that 
territory. On the 14th of October, Commodore whati» 

•^ ' said or 

Connor, conunanding the squadron in the Gulf of squadron 
Mexico, appeared off Tampico. The town capitu- Guif^of 

•1 • rr^i . n y Mexico? 

lated without resistance. 1 his was one of the 
most important posts to Mexico, on the gulf. On 
the 23d. Commodore Perry, with the steamer Mis- what 

I •' ' was dine 

sissippi, and several smaller vessels, appeared off per?>T 
the mouth of the river Tabasco, and sailing up tlie 
river, capture.! Frontiera, and all the vessels in 
port, without firing a single gun. He then sailed 
peventy-four miles farther up the river, to Tabasco, 
;uidon the 25th silenced the fort, which commands 
the city. After leaving two steamers to blockade 
the mouth, he returned to theflaff of Com. Connor. 

What 

44. The next day after the seizure of Vera Cruz, after the 

•^ ^ siege of 

in which tbe navy bore a conspicuous part, an ex- cr 



era 
!ru7. 



440 folk's administration. 



I*art III 



1841 pedition set out for the capture of Alvarado, under 
the command of Coin. Perry, who dispatched Lieut. 
whatdid Hunter in advance with a small steamer, to block- 
Hunter ade the port. Arriving off the bar, on the after- 
noon of the same day, he opened a fire on tho fort, 
which surrendered the next morning. Hunter then 
proceeded up the river, captured four schooners, 
and the next day anchored off Fla-co-al-pam, a 
city of 7,000 inhabitants, which immediately sur- 
whatdid I'endered. On the 2d of April, Com. Perry arrived, 
PerTydo? whcii hc fouud tlicsc important posts in the hands 

of the Americans. 
In whose 45. On the 18th of April, Com. Perry, after a 

posses- * 

tie^e"""^ short engagement, captured the town and port of 

thelm*^^^ Tuspan, about twenty miles north of Vera Cruz. 

portS" Thus, at ihis period of affairs, nearly all the im- 
portant ports on the gulf of Mexico were in the 
hands of the Americans. 

,_ . 46. We now return to follow the victorious march 

W hat 18 

Icottand ^f Scott aud his gallant army to the capital of 
Twiggs? ]Y{^^j^() On the 8th of April, ten days after tlie 
surrender of Vera Cruz, Gen. Twiggs left the city, 
and took the road to Jalapa. On the 11th, his 
advanced dragoons, under Col. Harney, met and 
drove before them several thousand Mexican lane- 
Where ^^^' ^'^ ^'^^ following day it was discovered that 
^fem?? the enemy was in front, on the heights of a moun- 
tain, strongly fortified. 

47. On the I6th Gen. Scott arrived, and issued 
his orders for the attack. Tlie road from the Ajne- 

DescriDe 

ISsition. I'ican camp ascended among lofty hills, whose com- 
manding points were fortified and garrisoned by 
the enemy. His right, intrenched, rested on a pre- 



Chap. XIV. BATTLE OF CERRO GORDO. 44f 

cipice. overhanging an impassable ravine, that ^ §4^ 
forms the bed of the stream, between which and pegprihe 
the precipice runs the national road. The highest Luof.'of 
peak of this precipice was the height of Cerro oordo 
Gordo, elevated more than a thousand feet, on which {•^^if^f''"- 
stood a fort whose batteries commanded every 
point in the road below. Several powerful batteries 
were placed along the from declivity. The whole 
of these formidable intrench ments were defended by 
15,000 men, commanded by Santa Anna, who had 
crossed the country from Buena Vista, to be de- how 

•^ ^ strong 

feated again at Cerro Gordo. Kh ar- 

48. To drive this strong force from a position ^'^^ 
almost impregnable, Scott could only bring about 
6,000 men into action. Instead of advancing along what 
the national road, in the face of those heavy bat- )^'^« , 

' J taken > 

teries, a road was constructed, which wound around 
the base of the mountain, to tlie right, directly in 
the rear of the height. This position they had 
gained unnoticed by the enemy, and on the 17th, IhVJ^nc- 
secured the two hills in front of the main works. 
That evening, Scott issued his orders, detailing the }y,y^'^ 
plan of battle, all of which were realized as though orajf^^ 
they had been prophetic. 

49. During the night, heavy artillery was drag- Describe 
ged up the hills, w^hich had been taken the after- tie'^of^' 
noon before, and when the morning dawned, they <^""iO' 
commenced rainini^r showers of balls on tlie in- 
trenchments of the enemy. Col. Harney and his 
troops charged up the heights, so steep that they 
were obliged to climb, stormed the citadel, and 
from the tower of Cerro Gordo unfurled the stars 

and stripes. The enemy, soon after, driven from 

19* 



442 folk's administration. 



Part III. 



i84rT ^he field J fled in confusion. Santa Anna escaped 
What is ^^ ^^^ ^f ^^i^ mules, leaving his carriage to the 
santa^^ eneiiiy. More than 3,000 prisoners were taken; 

288 officers, among whom were five generals. Gen- 
What ^^'^^ Scott also took 5,000 stands of arms, and forty- 
EiS^ three cannon. The American loss was 63 killed 
sides? and 368 wounded. The enemy's loss, in killed 

and wounded, was estimated at 1,200. 

What ' ' 

^y^G^eT ^0- O*^ ^^^ l^t^i <^f April, Gen. Worth entered 
^^^^^- Jalapa,* and on the 22d took possession of the town 
What and castle of Perote,t next to San Juan de UUoa, 

Were ]6i1t _ 

oehind the stvongcst fortress in Mexico. The garrison 
enemy? j^g^j Withdrawn the day before, leaving behind sixty- 
four guns and mortars, 11,065 cannon balls, 14.300 
bombs, and 500 muskets. On the 15th of May, 
Gen. Worth, with 4,000 troops, occupied the city 
of Puebla.t Here Gen. Scott remained most of the 
summer. 
rn^v^e- 51. On the 8th of August, Scott moved along the 
Gen. national road toward the city of Mexico. For 

Scott ^ "^ 

make? nvany long miles, the troops marched over a hilly 
Bcene. I'o^d, uutll, ou the 10th, they came within sight of 

* Jalapa is situated on the national road to Mexico, between 
forty and fifty miles from Vera Cruz. It contains IH 000 inhab- 
itants. 

f Perote is situated about sixty miles from the coast. The 
fortress is to the north of the town. South-east is a high point 
of land, which serves, along with the volcano of Orisba, as a 
landmark to make the port of Vera Cruz. 

:^ Puebla, the capital of the State of Puebla, is situated sixty- 
six miles from Mexico, and one hundred and eighty-six from 
Vera Cruz. It contains 80,000 inhabitants. It is one of the 
richest cities in Mexico. It was formerly celebrated for its 
manufactories of delf-ware and pots. Here are large manufac- 
tories of iron and steel, parlicularlv swords, bayonets, &c. 



Chap. XIV. BATTLE OF CONTRERAS. 443 

the vast plain of Mexico. The scene was one 1947 
whichj once beheld, could never be forgotten. Mex- 
ico, with its lofty steeples, its swelhng domes, its 
bright reality and its former fame, its modern splen- 
dor and its ancient magnificence, was before them ; 
while around, on every side, its shining lakes seem- 
ed like silver stars on a velvet mantle. 

52. The next day they reached Ayotea, fifteen 
miles from Mexico. From this place, the road ^''')»a^ " 

^ > said oi 

to the city is a causeway, traversing a marsh, {^^[S|^ 
and is commanded by a lofty hill, called El Pin-"^'^^' 
nel, which had been fortified with the great- 
est care. Batteries, mountint^^ fifty g-uns, were what i8 
placed along its sides. The army of Santa Anna ^^^^l,^ 
numbered 25,000 men, while ours was only 9,000. '^'"^^• 
To avoid these fortifications, a road was cut around ws"^^ 
Lake Chalco to San Augustine, which completely jum- 
turned the strong works of the enem}^ On the 
17th, Worth's division reached the latter place, 
which was nine miles south of Mexico. Scott 
arrived the next morning, when Worth commenced YJ^l^of 
his rrarch for the city. San Antonio was three anS^cen 
milcG north of San Augustine; and three miles c^a? 
west of this place, at the hill of Contreras, Gen. 
Valencia was stationed with a large force, in a ^^^^ 
position to sweep the road with his batteries. [Sace 

53. Skirmishes continued the whole of the 19th, th""fthi 
but during the night the rain fell in torrents, and 

for a few hours, the thimder of battle was hushed, what 

' durinji; 

The troops remained on the field during the whole JJ?®ht? 
of that drer,:y night, with no shelter from the 
driving rain. Early in the morning, Gen. Smith the^nexi 
gave the welcome word, '' Move on/' The soldiers 



444 



POLKS ADMINISTRATION. 



Part III. 



181 



What is 
said in 
conclu- 
sion of 
this bat- 
tie, and 
the loss ? 



What IS 
said of 
Churn- 
busco ? 



rushed forwardj and just at the dawn of day, 
furiously charged the enemy's works. In an in- 
stant all was confusion. The enemy at first wa- 
vered, then broke and fled, leaving their strong posi- 
tion to the conquerors. 

54. Thus ended the battle of Contreras. in which 
4,000 men routed an army of 8,000, under Valen- 
cia, with 12,000 more hovering in view. The 
Mexicans lost 700 killed, and 813 taken prisoners, 
and immense quantities of ammunition. Our loss 
did not exceed sixty, in killed and wounded. Our 
forces now rapidly pressed on toward Churubusco, 
where the enemy w^as strongly intrenched. Here 
was a fortified convent, and a strong field-woik, 

Mexico, the capital of 
the Mexican Republic, is 
situated in the midst of the 
beautilul vale of Mexico, 
252 miles from Vera Cruz. 
The valley of Mexico, or, 
as it was formerly called, 
the plain of Tenochtitlan, 
is 230 miles in circumfer- 
ence, and elevated 7,000 
leet above the level of the 
ocean. The valley con- 
tains a number of lakes 
besides Tezcuco, and is 
surrounded by small hills 
except on the south.where 
are seen two lofty volcanic 
mountains. The city of 
Mexico is one of the most 
beautiful in America. It 
contains about 200,000 in- 
habitants. Mexico stands 
on the same ground as that 
of the old city, which was 
conquered by Cortez, 326 
years before the new was 
conquered by the United 
States. It received its 
name from the Azter v.ar 
god, Mexatili,and was for- 
merly situated on the 
shoie of Lake Tez(uco; 
but that lake has now re- 
ceded, so as to be nearly 
two miles from the city. 
Churubusco is situated 
four miles from the city 
*.i few miles west is Tacubaya, a small village, vhere Scott and Worth had their head-quar- 
urs. The road leading to the city passed along by the side of a hill strongly fortified, calico 
Chapultepec. On the too of thi.s hill, which was two miles from the city, was the JMili.arj 
College, and a strong fortification which commanded tfie road, from T.icuDaya. '1 he road ir< m 
•hi^ hill is over the aqueduct which conveys water to the city. Here, lighting Irom arcl: to 
8f^;ii. the forms of Quitman and Sioith mirclied into thecily 




Chap. XIV. BATTLES NTEAR MEXICO. 445 

with regular bastions at the head of a bridge, over i84:T 
which the road passes from San Antonio to the jj^^ 
capital. These intrenchments were defended by we?/in. 
27j000 men, determined to make a desperate stand, there? ' 
for if beaten here, their capital would be in the 
hands of the enemy. 

55. The attack commenced about 1 p. m., and what 19 
continued for three hours. The firing w^as one the at- 

^ tack? 

continuous roar, while the combat lasted. At 
length the enemy fled, closely pressed by our victo- 
rious squadrons, who follow^ed them wdthin 500 
yards of the gates of the city. Our loss in killed ^a^^^lhe 
and wounded was 1053. The Mexican loss was bThar- 
500 killed, 100 wounded, and 1100 taken prisoners, ^jj^t is 
The battles of Contreras and Churubusco were the SeV^ 
most furious and deadly in the war. After so ties? " 
many victories in one day, our army might have m^M 
easily marched into the city ; but Scott, hoping that easily 
the Mexicans would more readily treat for peace '^«"*^- 
w^ithout this humiliatmg stroke to their pride, 
halted his victorious troops. 

56. On the 21st, he occupied the Bishop's Pal- ^^^^ 
ace at Tacubaya, and on the 22d proposed an hylilw 
armistice, that the Mexican government might con- 
sider the proposition of Mr. Trist, the commissioner 

of the American government, who had accompa- 
nied him on this mission. The armistice was ac- 
cepted. By its terms, neilier party was to un- 
dertake any operation, nor receive any reinforce- 
ments, within thirty leagues of the city of Mexico. 
The negotiations w^ere unsuccessful, and on the 
5th of September Scott discovered that the city w as 
bemg fortified, in direct violation of the armistice. 



446 folk's administration. 



Ill 



184T Thatj of course, was now at an end ; and prepara- 
tions were made for an immediate attack on the city. 
Describe 5^' Tl^e cncmy had strongly intrenched them- 
fil'onhe selves at Molino del Rey, or the "King's Mill." 
Mill. Their works consisted of a regular field-work sur- 
rounding the mill, wluch was filled with men, and 
mounted ten pieces of artillery. The attack com- 
menced on the morning of the 8th, and for two or 
three hours the slaughter was dreadful. At length, 
the enemy was driven from the field, with the loss 
on our side of about 1,000 in killed and wounded. 
Our force amounted to 3.700, while that of the ene- 
my was 10,000. 
of cha- 58. After considerable skirmishing, an attack wa? 
made on the 13th on the fortress of Chapultepec, 
which was considered the key of the Mexican lines, 
The scene which now presented itself, was one of 
terrible sublimity. Our shot went crashing through 
the buildings, and tearing up the intrenchments at 
the top of the hill. The Mexicans fought des- 
perately, but they could not withstand the fierce 
charge of our troops, who soon gained possession 
of the fortress. 
Describe 59. Smith's and duitman's forces now dashed 

the 

CJtTthe ^P ^he road leading to the city, in the face of a ter- 

"^^' rific fire from the enemy's batteries, stationed along 

the road, until they were silenced. At twenty 

minutes past one, on the 14th of September, our 

forces, fighting hand to hand, entered the city of 

The con- -« «- . t-» i r 

test Mexico. But the contest was not yet over, for a 

there. ^ '^ ' 

terrible fire was poured upon our troops from bat- 
teries stationed in streets, and from the windows 
and housetops, until night. In the mean time, Gen 



Cliap. XIV. POSSESSION OP THE CITY. 447 

Worth's division had filed round to the left, and en- 1947 
tered the city by the gate of San Cosmo. During 
tiie night, Santa Anna evacuated the city, and re- 
tired to Guadaloupe. 

60. The next morning, at daylight, our forces 
marched into the plaza, in front of the cathedral what 

' occurred 

and palace ; and at 7 o'clock, p. m., on the 15th of ^^^^^e 
September, 1847, the "Stars and Stripes" floated "^^''^^"^' 
in triumph over the capital of the Mexican Repub- 
hc. Skirmishing continued for two or three days, 
when all became quiet. Of the 10,000 gallant ^«;^y ^^ 
spirits that had welcomed Scott at Puebla, scarcely troops 
7,000 were left. The bloody fields of Contreras, ensiJee 

leaving 

Churubusco, San Antonio, Molino del Rey, and Puebia? 
Chapultepec, had laid low 3,000 of our brave army, 
and filled with grief the hearts of all the rest. A 
great difficulty under w^hich both Ta3dor and Scott 
labored, was the want of a sufficient number of 
troops to garrison effectually the different places 
they conquered. 

61. The most exciting subject, during the Con 
gress which closed its session in March, 1847, was ^^ft^^g 
the appropriation of $3,000,000, recommended by cXec?'' 
the President, to be employed by him as he pleased, rheCo.>. 

' i J ij V ' j^ress or 

in securing a peace with Mexico. To this resolu- ^^^"^^ 
tion an amendment was offered, called the Wilmot 
Proviso, which excluded slavery from all territory 
which might be acquired by the United States in 
Mexi o. After a warm debate, the resolution passed, 
shorn of the proviso. 

62. After our troops had taken- possession of the 
city of Mexico, no important battle took place. A 
ireaty of peace between Mexico and the United 



448 folk's administration. Part hi. 

18*8 States was signed by the plenipotentiaries of the 
two nations, at the city of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, 
February 2d, 1848. This treaty was afterward 
amended by the Congress of the United States, and 
ratified as amended, by Mexico. The respective 
ratifications were exchanged at Queretaro, on the 
30th day of May, 1848. By the treaty, the bound- 
ary line between Mexico and the United States 
commences in the Gulf of Mexico, three leagues 
from land, and proceeds from thence up the middle 
of the Rio Grande to the southern boundary of New 
Mexico ; from thence to its western termination ; 
thence along its western line until it intersects the 
river Gila, down that river until it empties into the 
Rio Colorado, across the Colorado, following the 
division line between Upper and Lower California, 
to the Pacific ocean. 

63. Thus, the United States have gained a vast 
amount of territory, stretching from the Gulf of 
Mexico westward to the ocean, embracing New 
Mexico and a large portion of California. The 
United States agree to pay Mexico fifteen millions 
of dollars, besides exonerating her from all claims 
from citizens of the United States previous to the 
treaty. Peace was hailed with joy by all parties. 
Territory and national glory are dearly purchased 
at the expense of blood and human life, and the 
untold miseries which follow in th3 train of war. 
The strength and prosperity of a republican gov- 
ernment depend not so much upon fleets and ar- 
mies as upon the intelligence of the people. 



Chap. XIV. ELECTION OF TATI^OR, 449 

64. The subject of a government for California and ^^^Q 
New Mexico occupied much of the time of the 30th H-"^^}^ 
Congress, in which the admission of slavery was the cl?n-°^^ 
principal topic. 

65. On the 3d of March, an act was passed creating i849. 
a new executive department, called the Department passed 
of the Interior. The head of this Department is called |Jj4? 
the Secretary of the Interior, and forms an additional 
member of the cabinet. 

66. The three candidates for the Presidency in the ^j,^ * 
election of 1848, were Zachary Taylor of Louisiana, Si*^" 
Lewis Cass of Michi2:an, and Martin Van Buren of the pret 

^ y ^ idency? 

New York. In the political contest, the subject of 
slavery was stronorly aritated. Lewis Cass the 
nominee of the Democratic party, and Zachary Tay- ff^f^^^^. 
lor of the Whig party, were supported by their re- ^'°"' 
spective friends at the South, because it was believed 
they would uphold southern views, and at the North 
on grounds entirely different. Martin Van Buren 
the Free Soil candidate received no electoral vote. 
The election resulted in the choice of Zachary Taylor 
for President ; out of two hundred and ninety votes ^j^^e the 
he having received one hundred and sixty-three. fuilTn- 

didates ' 

Millard Fillmore of New York was elected Vice- 
President. 

67. This year will long be remembered in History. 
If we turn our eyes for a moment away from the im- 

, . , , What is 

porta nt events which have transpired in our own Eiwli 
country, to the older nations of Europe, we find there ulS"' 

year) 

revolution succeeding revolution, the people rising 
in their strength and calling, in loud and indignant 
tones, for those rights which had long been denied 
them. In France, liberal principles had gradually 



450 folk's administration, Part ITI. 

j:?i^ been diffused among the masses. Louis Philippe 
Revoiu- and his ministry, in attempting to interfere too 
F?ance? stronglj with what the people considered their just 
rights, found they had aroused a spirit which they 
could not subdue. The Tuilleries was taken by the 
people, and the King and Queen compelled to flee in 
disguise to the coast, from whence they sailed to 
England. The Throne of the Bourbons was over- 
turned, and a Republican government established in 
its place. 
onth^^"' 68. The effect of this startling Revolution was 
£u?ope? tremendous ; its rebound came back from nearly 
every capital in Europe. In Germany, Austria, 
Hungary and Italy, the people roused themselves as 
from a long sleep, and Europe shook to the battle-cry 
of millions, w^ho had just learned they were men, and 
entitled to rights of which they had long been de- 
frauded. Thrones were overturned, governments 
remodeled, and temporary concessions granted by 
quaking potentates, who trembled at the storm which 
- was raging around them. "We need not say that the 
people of the United States, strongly sympathizing 
with every effort for freedom, opened wide their 
arms to those exiles who, failing in their struggles, 
were compelled to flee their country. 
S^if' 69. Mr. Polk, at the close of his presidential term, 
inlpart" retired to his private residence in Nashville. His 

Df Mr. , ^ 

P^J^'« close application to business had undermined his 
constitution, and a chronic disorder proved at last the 
cause of his death. He bore his sickness with fortitude, 
and although he was at that time of life when he might 
have anticipated years of quiet enjoyment, he met 
death with serenity and without a murmur. During 



Cliap. XV. 



DEATH OF POLK. • 451 



his sickness, he was admitted to the communion of ^Q^Q 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. On the 15th of 
June, 1849, he calmly breathed his last. 

70. Mr. Polk's Administration was a most event- 
ful one. The dispute with Great Britain in 1846, ^f^'^l 
in relation to the Oregon boundary, was peacefully umT^^' 
settled by a treaty of compromise. The annexation 
of Texas, in 1845, was the principal cause of our 
subsequent war with Mexico ; by which we obtained 
nearly 590,000 square miles of territory, a portion 
of it rich in mines of gold and containing the finest 
harbors on the Pacific. By many it is feared, that 
events growing out of the acquisition of this new 
territory, may finally sever our glorious Union; 



CHAPTER XV. 

ZACHARY TAYLOR'S ADMINISTRATION, 

FKOM MARCH 5TH, 1849, TO JULY 9TH, 1850. 



1. A brief epitome of the life of General Taylor whatii 

•*• ^ *^ said of 

has already been given. When he entered on the §^Jf^J,^J 
duties of the Presidency, he had received but little 
education in the so-called school of diplomacy. His 
brilliant victories in Mexico, his previous career in 
the service of his country, the strong good sense 
which characterized all of his dispatches and letters, 
his sterling honesty, firmness and uprightness of 
purpose, had endeared him to the hearts of the Amer- 
ican people. His friends looked with hope and con 
fidence upon his administration, to carry the country 
through those troubles which were already casting 
their dark shadows over the land. 



452 Taylor's^ administration. 



Part Illt 



^^^^ 2. This year, the United States were visited by 

the cho- the Asiatic cholera ; that fearful scourge which, in 

1832 and 1834, had marked its pathway through the 

land with mourning and death. Although less fatal, 

its victims were numbered by thousands. 

3. The first session of the thirty-first Congress 
was one of the longest and most exciting ever held, 
continuing ten months. After a long and stormy 
contest, Mr. Cobb, the Democratic candidate, was 
elected speaker. 
What of ^' Shortly after the termination of the war with 
Sve^y of Mexico, a workman of Capt. Sutter in California, in 
caiifoJ- digging a race, discovered shining particles of gold. 
On exploring farther, the soil for miles around was 
found to be full of the precious metal. The news, 
on reaching the States, spread like wild-fire. Cali- 
fornia and her untold sums of mineral wealth, were 
the theme of every tongue. The most intense ex- 
citement prevailed not only in our own country, but 
Pmigm- ^^'^^ i^ Europe and a portion of Asia. Thousands 
thither? and thousands left their homes, and departed, some 
by land, some around the cape, and others across the 
Isthmus, for the land of gold where fortunes were 
to be made in a few days. The gold was found scat- 
tered in scales or lumps nearly pure, generally near 
the surface of the ground, in the vicinity of the Sac- 
ramento and its tributaries. Many acquired fortunes 
in a short time ; some returned to their homes unsuc- 
cessful in their search ; others, unaccustomed to the 
hardships they were obliged to endure, sunk to their 
graves, far away from their friends, and oftentimes 
breathing their last with the earth for their bed, and 
the heavens above them their only canopy ; others 



Chap. XV. 



CALIFORNIA. . 453 



still, either partially or entirely successful, determined ^^^^ 
on making California their future home. Thus, in a ^^Sal' 
very short time, the nucleus of a mighty state was 
formed on the shores of the Pacific. Towns and 
cities sprung into existence with the rapidity of 
magic. The harbor of San Francisco, one of the 
finest in the world, was soon crowded with shipping ; 
regular lines of steamers communicated, by the way 
of Panama and Chagres, with the States ; and a 
commerce was established in a few months, which 
heretofore, under the most favorable auspices, was 
the work of years. Gold from California, to the 
amount of nearly six millions of dollars, had been 
coined at the United States Mint during 1849, and 
probably a still larger amount had been sent abroad. 

5. On the 31st August, deputies chosen by the 
people of California assembled at Monterey and 
formed a constitution, in which slavery was prohib- 
ited. They also organized themselves into a state 
government, electing representatives and senators 
to Congress. Not long after this, the Mormons who 
had established themselves near the Salt Lake in 
California, constituting a community of 25,000 souls, 
formed a constitution, and, like California, asked to 
be admitted into the Union without going through 
the usual probation as a territory. 

6. At an early day after the assembling of Con- wh^did 
gress, the President transmitted a special message, ^^^^, ^®' 
recommending that California should be admitted °*^^'^' 
with the constitution she had adopted, and that the 
territories should remain under the military govern- 
ment established after their conquest, until they were 
desirous of admission into the Union as States, He, 



454 Taylor's administration. part in, 

^Q^^ however, made no provision for the settlement of the 
boundary of Texas, which State claimed to include 
most of the people of New Mexico, and her entire 

thedis" territory east of the Rio Grande. The first six 

CUSsion ir»n«i • 1 ' 1 ^ 

ire?sT i^onths of this long session were characterized by 
the most intense excitement, not only in Congress 
but throughout the country. The admission or non- 
admission of California into the Union as a State, 
excluding slavery, at one time bid fair to rend in 
twain that Union, under which our nation has been 
prospered in a way unparalleled in the history of the 
world. Disunion was not only heard at the north 
and the south, the east and the west, but boldly and 
threateningly uttered in the Halls of our National 
Legislature. 
SU"" 7. In the midst of this excitement, fresh fuel was 
cite-^'^* added to the flame by the announcement that the 

ment? , •^ , 

people of New Mexico, in consequence of a proclama- 
tion of the military officer in command, had held a 
convention and formed a constitution. Texas imme- 
diately commenced the organization of a force, to 
march into it and take possession of Santa Fe. 

8. At an early day Mr. Clay made a speech to 
the Senate, insisting that the Territories should be 
organized under Territorial Governments, and the 
Texas boundary settled. In the course of the dis- 
cussion, Mr. Clay waived his preference for separate 
What of action, for a combination, in which the admission of 

the Om- ^ ^ ^ \ 

nibus? California, the organization of the Territories, and 
the adjustment of the Texas Boundary, should be in- 
cluded in one bill. The bill, therefore, received the 
nickname of the Omnibus. A Committee of thirteen 
was raised with Mr. Clay at its head, and in due 



Chap. XV. DEATH OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 455 

time, the Omnibus bill was reported, and thencefor- ^^^o 
ward contested with the tremendous strength, as well JJlf^J^t'* 
as a portion of the weakness, of the Senate. In the JiJsitkSf; 
Senate, at this time, were gathered some of the most 
powerful minds that have ever existed in our govern- 
ment or the world. When so much was at stake, 
these minds were drawn out in all their strength. 

9. While the elements of strife were thus convuls- 
ing the country, and threatening civil war. Congress 
and the nation were startled at the intelligence that 
the venerable President was lying dangerously ill. 
He grew rapidly worse until the evening of July 9th, 
when he breathed his last in the Executive Mansion, , 

What IS 

surrounded by his cabinet and his family. His last fgiVaOj 
words were, " I am willing to die. I have done my priS^ 
duty." The good and noble old man, who had moved 
unharmed through the iron tempest of death which had 
raged around him on many a battle field, who had 
been unharmed in the Indian warfare in the ever- 
glades of Florida and on our Western Frontier ; the 
Hero of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, 
Buena Vista, now at the nation's capital, is cut down 
by the scythe of death. His disease began on the 
fourth in the form of cholera morbus, but soon passed 
into a bilious remittent fever. He was buried in 
the Congressional burial ground, but his remains 
have since been removed to Kentucky. 

10. Thus, for the second time, has the hand of death 
removed from us our Chief Magistrate. Occurring 
at a time when the nation was heaving like the an- 
gry waves of the sea, with sectional strife, and the 
mad cry of disunion was waxing louder and louder, 
God by this terrific stroke seemed to rebuke man's 



456 Fillmore's administration. 



Part III, 



^^^ ^ foUy? and for a moment paralyzed the angry spirits 
of rival factions. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

MILLARD FILLMORE'S ADMINISTRATION. 

FKOM JULY lOTH, 1850, TO MAECH 4TH, 1863. 

1. Mr. Fillmore was born at Summer Hill, Cayu- 

What of 

Mn Fui. ga County, New York, Jan. Tth, 1800. His father waa 
eariyiife? g^ farmer of moderate circumstances. At the age 
of j&ffceen, Mr. Fillmore, who had only enjoyed the ad- 
vantages of an ordinary school education, was sent 
to learn the trade of a clothier, at which he worked 
until he was nineteen, when he commenced the study 
of law in the oflSce of Judge Wood of Cayuga County. 
In 1828 he commenced the practice of law in Aurora, 
KoSt- ^^^ ^^ 1829 was elected to the Assembly, and re- 
Jeer?*" elected three years in succession. In 1832 he was 
elected to Congress, and again in 1836. He was re- 
elected to the next Congress, and distinguished him- 
self, in a trying crisis, as the Chairman of the Com- 
mittee of Ways and Means. In 1847 he was elected 
Controller of the State of New York, and in 1848, 
Vice President of the United States. On the death 
of President Taylor, by a provision in the constitu- 
tion, the duties of President of the United States de- 
volved on him. 

2. The troubled waters of party strife were only 
calmed for a moment by the death of the President. 
Hardly was he cold in his grave when the contest 
again commenced. After various amendments to the 



Chap. XVI, 



NEW MEXICO. 457 



Omnibus had been rejected, the bill was dismembered, 125P 
limb by limb, until nothing remained but the sections 
organizing Utah as a separate territory, which was Za^Ln% 
passed. The California admission, the New Mexico omni- * 
Territorial, and the Texas Boundary bills all subse- 
quently passed as independent propositions — the 
Texas Boundary bill, giving $10,000,000 to Texas ^.^^ 
for relinquishing her claim to New Mexico, and also nitmi 
securing to her a larger and more desirable area Mexicoi 
than she would have had by the Omnibus bill. 

H, Two additional bills reported by the Senate's 
Compromise Committee, were also passed. One 
abolishes the slave-trade in the District of Colum- 
bia, and the other provides more summarily and rig- 
orously for the re-capture and return to their mas- gji^i*** 
ters of all runaways from slavery who shall tako 
refuge in free States. 

4. A bill was also passed at this session, granting 
a certain amount of government land to every sol- 
dier who had been engaged in any of our wars. 

5. Heretofore the brave sailors who have con- 
tributed so much to the glory of our country, were 
liable to be cruelly flogged for even slight misde- 
meanors. Humane individuals had for a long time 
endeavored to have the odious and tyrannical practice 
abolished. At this session their eiforts were crowned 
with success. A law was passed prohibiting it, and 
it is to be hoped that never again will the backs of 
free-born Americans be scarred with the lash. 

During this year the nation was called to mourn 
the death, not only of its President but also of one 
of its most distinguished statesmen. Hon. J. 0. 
Calhoun died in Wjishington on the 81st March. 

20 



458 SKETCH OP J. C» CALHOUN. 



Fart III, 



,i^£^ He was born in S. Carolina in 1782, graduated at 
Yale College, studied law at Litchfield, Conn., and 
in 1811 was elected to Congress, and strongly advo- 
cated the war with Great Britain. He was Secre- 
tary of War from 1817 to 1824, when he was chosen 
Vice-President and re-elected in 1828, resigned in 
1831, and entered the Senate. In 1843, he was ap- 
pointed Secretary of State by Mr. Tyler, and in 
1845 re-elected to the Senate. He was a man of 
strong mind, unsurpassed in logic and force of diction. 

Daring Mr. Fillmore's administration, the nation 
enjoyed continued prosperity and rapidly increased 
in wealth and strength. 

Little more of importance occurred during 
the administration, except the death of two of 
America's noblest sons and greatest statesmen, 
Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. 

Mr. Clay was born in Hanover county, Virginia, 
on the 12th of Apiril, 1777. His parents were poor, 
and at the age of five, his father died. Young 
Clay struggled on through his childhood, but he 
possessed a spirit which poverty could not crush, 
and no difficulties could daunt. At length, he com- 
menced the practice of law, and shortly removed 
to Lexington, Kentucky. Almost from this time, 
his history was identified with the history of his 
country. Elected, at an early age, to the United 
States Senate, and from this time until his death, 
with but short intermission, filling the high position 
either of a Senator, Speaker of the House of Kep- 
resentatives, or Secretary of State, his influence 
was felt, and he was everywhere acknowledged, as 
one of the master minds of his country. 



Chap. XVI. DEATH OF DANIEL WEBSTER. 459 

On the 29th of June, 1852, in the seventy-sixth l^J^ 
year of his age, Mr. Clay closed a long and event- 
ful life. 

Scarcely had the public demonstrations of mourn- 
ing for Mr. Clay ceased, before the nation was start- 
led with the intelligence, that Daniel Webster had 
retired to his home, at Marshfield, Massachusetts, 
to die. Here, in the quiet of his home, but a short 
distance from where the Pilgrim Fathers landed, 
the soul of Webster passed to its eternal rest. He 
died on the morning of Sunday, October 24th, 
1852, in the seventy-first year of his age. 

Mr. Webster was born in Salisbury, New Hamp- 
shire, on the 18th of January, 1782. His parents 
were in moderate circumstances, and Webster was 
compelled to rely, in a great measure, on his own 
exertions in his preparations for the active duties 
of life. In a very short time after commencing the 
practice of law, his talents and industry placed him 
in tlie front rank of the profession he had chosen. 

In whatever position of life he was placed, 
whether at the bar, in the Senate Chamber, or as 
Secretary of State, in point of intellect, he towered 
above his compeers, and was ever the firm and faith- 
ful champion of his country, and a powerful 
'* defender of her Constitution." 
. At the next Presidential election, Franklin 
Pierce, of New Hampshire, was chosen President, 
and William E. Kins:. Vice President. 



460 Pierce's administration. part hi. 

CHAPTER XVIL 

PIEKCE'S ADMINISTRATION. 
1S53 ^^^^^ MARCH 4TH, 1853, TO MARCH 4TH, 1857. 

J^Jea 1. Franklin Pierce was born in Ilillsborough, 
JJaf® New Hampshire, in 1804. His father, Benjamin 
pLTce "" Pierce, was a major in the war of the Revolu- 

born? . , 

tion, and afterward held several poHtical offices 

in New Hampshire. 

fSnher" ^* I'i'^nklin Pierce, after leaving Bowdoin 

hTm?*^ College, turned his attention to the study of law, 

and in due time was admitted to the bar, and 

commenced the practice of his profession in his 

native town. Before the end of two years, he 

J^^f^pf- was elected to the State Legislature, and, during 

^""^^^^ the second year, was elected Speaker of the House. 

In 1837 he was elected to the United States 

Senate, but, after five years, resigned, intending 

to devote himself to his profession. 

SkVid 3. During the war in Mexico he served, as 

iQthi V^igadier-genera], in Scott's campaign, and was 

engaged in many of the battles between Veia 

Cruz and the citj^ of Mexico. At the close of 

the war he resigned his commission, returned 

home, and recommenced the practice of law in 

Concord. 

Masthe 4. He found, on enterins; the Presidency, the 

condition ' O »J j 

unued nation at peace with the world, respected by 

states atrt. ,. -i •. tiit 

the time lorcigu uatious, and enjoying a remarKable de- 
fnteJed g^'^^ ^f prospcrlty. Questions of grave import 
sidenor? had been decided during the previous adminis- 



Chap.XVII. RESCUE OF MARTIN KOSZTA. 461 

tration, and, for a time at least, the clouds which ^853 > 
,had gathered darkly around our political horizon 
had been dispelled. 



5. In 1853, considerable excitement prevailed^' 



hat 
excite- 
ment 



respecting an attempt to kidnap, by the Austrian pevaiied 
Government, Martin Koszta, a Hungarian by 
birth, who took part in the Hungarian Revolution 
in 1848-49, being at that time an Austrian sub- 
ject. At the close of that unfortunate struggle, l^c^f/of** 
Koszta, with many others, took refuge in Turkey, 
and from thence proceeded to the United States. 

6. After remaining here one year and eleven 
months, he returned to Turkey to transact busi- 
ness of a private nature, and placed himself under 
the protection of the United States Consul at 
Smyrna. While waiting for an opportunity to 
return to the United States, he was seized hj a 
band of ruffians, taken on board the Austrian 
brig of war Huszar, and placed in irons. The 
intercession of the United States Consul and 
Charg^ were of no avail. 

7. Fortunately, at this time the United States ^hatdw 
sloop-of-war St. Louis, under command of Cap- haKo? 
tain Ingraham, arrived at Smyrna. Captain In- 
graham, on being made aware of the facts in the 
case, demanded the release of Koszta, on account 

of his American nationality, and intimated that 
he should resort to force if the demand was not 
complied with by a certain hour. The firm stand JImafd 
taken by Captain Ingraham was sufficient, andw^if?'* 
Koszta was immediately delivered into the hands 
of the French Consul' General^ to await the deci- 
fciion of Austria and the United States. In a 



462 Pierce's administratio]^. Part la 

J^£ll short time he was liberated, and leturned to the 
^^J^g-^Jland of his adoption. This aftair showed that 
*^''''' the United States possessed not only the power, 
but the will, to protect even her adopted citizens, 
in whatever land they migh": be cast. 
S^eX 8. In 1854, a Reciprocity Treaty was negotiated 
JoTiat^ between the United States and the British North 
American Provinces, extending the right of fish- 
ing, and regulating the commerce and naviga- 
tion between the two countries, on terms equally 
advantageous to both. 
What is 9- Ii^ 1853, an expedition was sent out, under the 
Com."*! command of Commodore Perry, to open friendly 
tijrto'" ^^^^ commercial relations between the Emperor 
japaa? ^£ Japan and the United States. This expedi- 
tion was entirely successful; and the gates of 
that vast empire, which had been for ages closed, 
with but one or two exceptions, against the civil- 
ized nations of the earth, were thrown open to the 
commerce and friendl}^ intercourse of the West- 
ern World. On the 31st March, 1854, a treaty 
was signed at Yeddo, which opened several ports 
in Japan to our comraerce. 
What is 10. The bill of Mr. Dousrlas of Illinois, known 

eaid of o " 

Voir!^ as the Kansas-Nebraska Act, was the most absorb- 
known^ ins: topic of the first session of the 33d Conscress. 

us the O i O 

NeS-" I'h^^ ^^'^ repeals the Missouri Compromise, de- 
k%Aft? (»]rj^j,^j.g ^^ ^Q ]3^ inconsistent with the acts of 

1850 known as the Compromise measures, throws 
open the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska to 
the admission of slavery, and leaves to the actual 
^ settlers to decide whether they shall be Free or 
Slave States. To understand more clearly this 



Cbpip. XVII. THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE* 463 

matter, it may be necessary to speak more par- ^^^^' 
ticularly of the character of the Missouri Com- 
promise, in connection with Kansas Territory. 

11. Kansas is bounded on the north by Ne-nowis 

•^ Kansas 

braska; on the west by the Rocky Mountains, ^°"''^*'*' 
Utah, and New Mexico ; on the south by New 
Mexico and Indian Territory ; and on the east by 
Missouri. It has an area of 114,793 square miles, 
being only two thousand miles less than Great 
Britain. This Territory forms a portion of the ^Jj^^J/* 
vast tract of country ceded to us by France in sLVa""*** 
1803, and known as the Louisiana Purchase, cil^s"^? 
That purchase also contained the country now 
known as the Indian, Nebraska, and Minnesota 
Territories, and the States of Louisiana, Arkan- 
sas, Missouri, and Iowa. The cost of this pur- 
chase was fifteen millions of dollars. 

12. In 1818, the Legislature of Missouri Terri-jy^^*^i^^ 
tory sent a petition to Congress for admission into cus'sei"" 

_ . ^ - ou tho 

the union as a btate. Ihen came. up the q^^s- applica- 
tion, ^SShall she be admitted as a Slave State ?'\fbTadi 
The discussion of this question created the most £to the 

T , Union? 

intense excitement throughout the countiy, pene- 
trating to almost every town and village in the 
land. The entire session passed away without 
any decision on this important, all-engrossing 
subject. 

13. At the next session, in January, 1820, anowlrai 

' "^ ' 'the mat- 

compromise was introduced by Mr. Thomas, of '®'*^°°*- 

Illinois, providing ^'that all that territory ceded 

by France to the United States, under the name 

of Louisiana, which lies north of thirty-six de- 

gi*ees thirty minutes north latitude, excepting 



pro- 
mised r 



464 Pierce's administration. Part hi. 

1S54. only such part as is included within the limits 
of the State contemplated by this Act, slavery 
and involuntary servitude, otherwise than in the 
punishment of crimes whereof the party shall 
have been duly convicted, shall be and is hereby 
forever prohibited/' 
^ndkipn 14. In this form the bill passed both Hoascs, 
Bouri ad- and Missouri was admitted as a Slave State, with- 

muted ' 

uuion? out any restriction or limitation as to slavery, 
on condition that slavery should be forever pro- 
hibited in all territory of the United States 
north of 36° 30'. 

15. The Kansas-Nebraska Act, already referred 
to, introduced by Mr. Douglas, after a protracted 
discussion, and the most intense excitement, in 
which the entire nation participated, passed both 
Houses of Congress in May, 1854, and was im- 
jg.^ mediately signed by the President. 

wi^o jras 16. A. H. Reeder, of Pennsylvania, was ap- 

en,?rof poiutcd Govemor of the new Territory. 

\vh"aTef- 17. Every effort was now made, both by the 

fort was *^ ^ *^ 

made by Nortli aud tlic South, to secure the ascendency 
North'* in the Territory. Emio;rant Aid Societies were 

and the *^ ^ 

South? formed, and everv encouras-ement o;iven to induce 

people to settle in Kansas. 
What 18. In March, 1855, Governor Reeder issued 

followed ^ ' 

c?araT" a proclamation for the election of a Territorial 
Gov.° Leo;islature. From nearly every district in the 

Reeder ^ ^ J ^ 

^ISaIxl Territory Pro-slavery men w^ere returned to the 
gfsfa^*' prospective Legislature. On the 2d of July, the 
^yj^^^ Legislature assembled at Pawnee. In the course 
by the'"''® of the first week it passed an act removing the 
hi?e1*' seat of government to the Shawnee Manual 



Chap. XVII. -REMOVAL OF GOVERNOR REELER. 465 

Labour Scliool, and also adopting the laws gene-.l?^ 
rally of Missouri for the laws of Kansas. The 
Governor vetoed the bill removing the seat of 
governmentj but the Legislature repassed it by a 
two-thirds vote. Governor Reeder then informed 
them he should not recognise any further act of 
theirs, but should consider the Legislature dis- 
solved. This, however, made no diiference, for 
they continued to legislate without his sanction. 
Shortly after this, Governor Reeder was removed on what 

t/ '' charge 

from office, b}' the President, on the charge of ReedJ?''* 
speculating in Lidian lands. This the Governor '^^"'*''' 
denied, and insisted upon it that his removal 
was solely at the instigation of the Pro-slavery 
party. Wilson Shannon, of Ohio, w^as appointed J^^^-j;;^ 
Governor in his place. Im^iT 

19. It will be seen that in Kansas there were wimt 

were the 

two great parties, one, the Pro-slavery party, {;[^g';;f 
insisting that tlie Territorial Legislature was agreaV'** 
legally-constituted body, having the right and^a^isas? 
power to legislate, and whose acts should be 
valid. These called themselves the law and 
order party. The other, the Free State party, 
denied the legality of the Legislature, asserting 
that it did not represent the actual inhabitants 
of the Territory, that its members were elected 
by persons coming over in armed bands from 
Missouri, who were not, and never intended to 
be, inhabitants of Kansas, taking possession of 
the ballot-boxes, and electing a Pro-slavery Le- 
gislature, when, as they asserted, a majority of 
the actual settlers were Free State men. They 

205^ 



466 PIEKCE'S administration, PartUl. 

i?55:. therefore refused to recognise the actions of that 

Legislature as binding. 

ww^'done 20. When, therefore, the Legislature appointed 

IVti^B an election-day to elect a delegate to Congress, 

tiou-day?the Free State party refused to recognise the 

Act, and appointed a day of their own. On the 

dav of election, Mr. Whitfield was elected to Con- 

gress by the Pro-slavery party, and, on the day 

appointed by the Free State men, Governor 

Reeder was elected. 

w'hat 21. Mr. Whitfield was admitted to a seat in 

followed? 

Congress but that seat was contested by Gov- 
ernor Reeder. A committee was appointed to 
proceed to Kansas and investigate afiairs. A 
Tc^y majority of this committee, after a most laborious 
SJpoint- and searching investigation, in which a vast 
amount of evidence was taken, made a lengthy 
report, in which they considered established by 
whafc testimony, — " That every election held under the 

was the "^ ' *^ , 

It^nce of Territorial laws has been carried by organized in- 
p^rtV^" vasions from Missouri. That the Territorial 
Legislature was illegally constituted, and its 
acts are therefore void. That the election under 
which Mr. Whitfield held his seat was not valid. 
That the election under which Mr. Reeder con- 
tests the seat was likewise invalid. That Mr. 
Reeder received a greater number of legal votes 
than Mr. Whitfield." Accordingly, the House 
decided that neither Governor Reeder nor Mr. 
Whitfield was entitled to the seat. Mr. Oliver, i)f 
Missouri, the minority-member of committee, 
denied the truth of these statements. 

22. Subseauently Governor Shannon resigned 



Cti«F.XVII. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. 467 



the office of Governor, and Mr. Geary was ap-i^^ 
pointed in his place. During this controversy in ^JJdn" 
Kansas, the most intense excitement prevailed «^^<^" 
throughout the country. In Kansas, numerous 
murders were committed and many lives lost. 
The time now was at hand when the people of 
the United States were to elect a President for 
the next four years. 

23. John C. Fremont, of California, was the^e^ethe 
nominee of the Republican party, James Bu-foTpTe^!! 
chanan, of Pennsylvania, of the Democratic jj«^^«^*^ 
party, and Millard Fillmore, of New York, of the 
American party. The great point at issue was ^a^stu 
the admission of slavery in the new Territories, point at 

. . . issue? 

The Republican party, " while they disclaimed any whntdid 
wish to interfere with slavery in those States where ^'^il^^"" 
it already existed, yet insisted that it should beaifd\*ii? 
excluded from those Territories now free.'' 

24. The Democratic Party claimed ''that the tYe^g^i"^ 
Territories should be thrown open to all, leaving ^ar^^' 
the question of slavery in the Territory to be 
decided by the actual inhabitants of the Terri- 
tory.'' The American Party occupied ground 
similar to the Democrats. 



mocratio 
party 
claim ? 



25. At the election, Mr. Buchanan was chosen Ss^J " 
President. ^ent? 

26. In the short session of Congress- of 1856 
-57, Mr. Whitfield was admitted as Dt^legate 
from Kansas. 



468 BUCHANAN'S ADMINISTRATION. 

185T, 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

BUCHANAN'S ADMIFISTRATIOK 

FROM MARCH 4TH, 1857, TO MARCH 4TH, 1861. 

What was 1. James Buchanan was born in Franklin 

the early 

mTL"' county, Pennsylvania, April 22, 1791. Having 

chanan? •111 1 1 

acquired a handsome competence as a lawyer 
before he had reached his fortieth year, he ahan- 
doned the active practice of his profession, and 
entered into public life. He held many high 
offices; having been successively a member of 
the House of Kepresentatives and of the Senate, 
Secretary of State, and Minister to Eussia and 
England. He was seventy years old when he 
What was became President. Naturally cautious, and even 

his charac- ^ , , 

'*'' timid, he proved himself insufficient to meet the 
difficulties which were to arise during his admin- 
istration. When the troubles arose, his only 
policy was to wait, in the hope that they would 
cease of themselves, or, at all events, that the 
crisis would not come during his term. 
whatissaid ]^j.^ Breckinridge, the Vice-President, was 
?idg?r' born near Lexington, Kentucky, January 21, 
1821. He was a young man of showy talents, 
but deficient in all the higher qualities of a 
patriot and statesman. Having been defeated 
for President in 1860, he was appointed member 
of Congress from his native State. Here, even 



THE DRED SCOTT CASE. 469 

after the secession of the South, he so openly 1857« 
advocated the cause of the rebels that he was 
expelled from that body in December, 1861. He 
then joined the Confederates, and was made a 
general in their service. 

2. At the openins^ of Mr. Buchanan's admin- what was . 

^ , the state of 

istration the country was in a state of great pros-*^®^^""*'^^ 
perity, and there seemed little danger of any 
serious disturbance. In his inaugural address 
he congratulated the country that the great ques- 
tions at issue had been settled, and that the 
minority had quietly submitted to the decision 
of the majority. Government had a revenue 
exceeding its wants, and, in order to diminish 
this, it had been necessary to reduce the tariff. 

3. On the 5th of March the Supreme Court 
of the United States pronounced its decision in 
the famous ''Dred Scott case,'' which had for a 

long time occupied public attention. Dred Scott wh^^js^^^ 
and his wife were slaves, held by Dr. Emerson, 
a surgeon in the United States army; by whose 
consent they had for some time resided in the 
free State of Illinois, and in the territory in 
which, by the Ordinance of 1787, slavery had 
been prohibited. In 1838, they, with their chil- 
dren, were taken to Missouri. They claimed y^y^id,, 

' •/he claim his 

their freedom on the ground that they had been ^'^^^^'^^^ 
taken by their master into a free State. The^hatdid 

*/ the supreme 

court decided against them, holding that the^de^/ 
legal condition of a slave in a slave State wae 
not affected by his having temporarily resided 



Court de- 



470 BUCHANAN'S ADMINISTBATION* 

^S57. ill a free State, but depended solely upon the 
laws of the State in which he was held. The 
court also incidentally decided that negroes 
could not be citizens of the United States ; and, 
moreover, that so much of the Compromise of 
1820 as undertook to give freedom and citizen- 
ship to negroes in the northern part of the 
Louisiana purchase was unconstitutional. 

4. Troubles broke out in the Territory of Utah, 
whither the Mormons had taken up their resi- 
dence after ^laving been driven out of Illinois. 
Brigham Young, who after the death of Joe 
Jhi'origiSf of Smith had been raised to the head of the Mor- 
mutX?*"mon Church, was appointed b}^ Mr. Fillmore 
Governor of the Territory, and exercised un- 
limited powder both in civil and religious mat- 
ters. The population having largely increased, 
application was made for the admission of Utah 
as a State into the Union. This was refused, 
mainly upon the ground of the existence of 
polygamy among the Mormons. This refusal 
excited great discontent ; and the Mormons were 
charged with committing serious outrages upon 
all persons in the Territory w^ho did not belong 
to their faith. 
What was 5. At length, in Januarj^, 1857, a party of 
Young? Mormons, under the direction of Young, went 
to the office of the United States Court, and took 
away the books and papers, burning them in 
Great Salt Lake City, saying that if Congress 
Avould not admit them into the Union they 



TROUBLES IN UTAH. 471 

would not allow the officers of the Government 185T. 
to remain in the Territory. This act was fol- 
lowed by msLUj other indications of hostility ; ^JJ^]*^*^'^;^^,^, 
and it was determined that Young should be '^^''' '^'^ ^ 
removed from his post as Governor, and that a 
military force should be sent to Utah to main- 
tain the authoritj" of the Government. Mr. Cum- 
mings, of Missouri, was appointed Governor, 
with instructions to see that the laws of the 
United States were enforced; but to use the 
military force only when the civil power was' 
inadequate, while no person was to be molested 
on account of his religious or political opinions. 

6. At first it appeared that the Mormons were what was 

*■ *■ the conduct 

determined to resist; but when Mr. Cummings^VJ^/j^^^°^- 
arrived at Great Salt Lake City he was received 
with respect, and his authority as Governor was 
recognized. The President thereupon appointed Jjo^j^aj 
Messrs. Powell and McCulloch as peace commis-"^"^^^' 
sioners. Reaching Salt Lake City in June, 1858, 
they found the city almost deserted; but they 
entered into communications with the principal 
Mormons, who dechired their readiness to sub- 
mit to the authority of the United States. Go- 
vernor Cummings thereupon issued a proclama- 
tion of amnesty, and granting a full pardon for 
all ofiences, 

7. Although the troubles in Utah were thus i858. 
brought to a peaceful close, they had indirectly what^was 
an unfavorable influence upon the affiiirs of the?roubiIs^?n 
nation ; for they occasioned the removal of a "" 



472 Buchanan's administration. 

i858> considerable part of our small army to sucli a 
distance as to render them unavailable when 
they were needed to garrison the forts which 
W'Cre threatened by the Southern seceders. 
^ofrfor-'^ 8. The relations of the country with foreign 
lionsT^'"' powers were, with slight exceptions, wholly ami- 
cable. Treaties were concluded with Denmark, 
Persia, Japan, and several of the States of Cen- 
tral and Southern America. An unsuccessful 
effort was made to induce Spain to sell the island 
of Cuba to the United States. The only con- 
siderable exceptions to these amicable relations 
w^ere in the case of Paraguay, and a misunder- 
standing wdth Great Britain respecting the 
boundaries on the Pacific. 
Joneddfr 9- During the Administration of Mr. Pierce a 
>vuhPara- trcaty was signed with Paraguay, by which the 
navigation of the rivers of that country was 
opened for commercial purposes. The United 
States steamer Water- Witch was sent to explore 
the rivers. She w^as fired upon from a Paraguayan 
fort, and, redress having been refused, a consider- 
able naval expedition was fitted out to obtain 
How was it satisfaction. Before any hostile action had taken 

gettled? •/ 

place, General Urquiza, the President of the 
Argentine Confederation, offered his mediation, 
which w^as accepted, and terms of adjustment 
were agreed upon in January, 1858. 
whatissaid 10. In runnino: the line, in 1855, between the 

of the island ^ ° ' ^ ' 

ofsanJuan?gpi^|g|^ aud Amcricau possessions on the Pacific 
coast, certain islands in Puget*s Sound, of which 



THE KANSAS STRUGGLE. 473 

San Juan was the principal, were claimed by 1858, 
both parties. Americans who had settled there 
were annoyed by Indians, and a company of 
troops was sent to protect them; the commander 
took possession in the name of the United States ; 
the British Governor of Vancouver protested, 
and despatched troops thither. For a time the 
affair threatened serious consequences; and Gen. H'l^'j^l 
Scott was sent by the President in September, ued?'**^ 
1858, to take command on the Pacific coast. By 
his wise and conciliatory conduct a collision was 
avoided, and an agreement entered into by which, 
until the question of right w^as decided by nego- 
tiation, each party should be at liberty to occupy 
the islands with a small force, to prevent out- 
rages by the Indians. 

11. But, while the country was apparently what new 

' ./ iri ./ trouble was 

prosperous, the storm was slowly gathering. The ^^•^^^'^s? 
struggle respecting Kansas, which had been going 
on for a long time, w^as now renewed with in- 
creased violence, and it soon took the shape of a 
contest respecting the general question of the 
protection or prohibition of slavery in the Terri- 
tories. A volume would not be sufficient to 
narrate the details of the fierce Congressional 
struggle; we must content ourselves with giving 
the most important incidents. 

12. In June, 1857, an election w^as held for when was 

^ ' the Lecomp- 

delegates to frame a State Constitution. The ti?i?n ""'''" 
Free State men refused to go to the polls; only^'"'^"'^'*^ 
2200 votes were cast, and all the delegates elected 



474 Buchanan's administration. 

1858> were pro-slavery. They met in October, 1858, 
at Lecomptoii, and drafted a Constitution pro- 
tecting slavery in the most explicit manner, and 
containing many other objectionable features. 
Instead of the question of the adoption or rejec- 
tion of this Constitution being submitted to the 
w^;«J^J[^'" people, they were only allowed to vote ''for the 
.X^d Constitution with slavery," or "for the Constitu- 
tion without slavery." The Free State party re- 
fused almost wholly to vote, and the result was 
whafcwBs that 6266 votes were cast ''for the Constitution 

the result? 

with slavery," and 567 " for the Constitution with- 
out slavery." In the mean time the Territorial 
Legislature had passed an act submitting the 
acceptance or rejection of this Constitution to 
^QFrt^ the people; and the result was that 10,226 votes 
state people ^^^^,^ ^^g|. Qg^i^^gt jj-^ ^^^ Q,j]y 102 lu favor of it,' — 

the pro-slavery men refusing to vote. The Le- 

compton Constitution was submitted to Congress 

What was by the President, who accompanied it by a spe- 

the course *^ ^ ■»■ */ i 

sfden^f"" ci^l message, FeTDruary 2, 1858, recommending 

the admission of Kansas under it. 
What did 13. After much discussion, a bill was passed. 

Congress 

^^' by w^hich Kansas was to be admitted under the 

Lecompton Constitution, provided that a majority 

How did the of the people at a new election should vote to 

people ^ ^ 

^""^^"^ accept it either with or without slavery. The 

vote was taken on the 3d of August, and the 

\\|hatwas Constitution was rejected by a majority of more 

the result? *^ . . 

than 10,000, and Kansas remained a Territory. 
14. Early in 1859 the Territorial Legislature 



JOHN BROWN. 475 

passed an act convening a new convention to 1859. 
form a Constitution. This convention met at^o^^as 

the Wyan- 

Wyandot on the 5th of July, — the Republicans J^Ji^J"'" 
having a majority of two to one. They framed whTt'^Jas 
a Constitution prohibiting: slavery, which was poJpie^of ^"^ 
submitted to the people, who accepted it, and 
Kansas applied for admission into the Union as 
a State, early in the session of Congress "which 
began December 2, 1859. The Republicans had 
now gained the control of the House of Repre- 
sentatives, and the bill passed by a vote of 134 JJ'j^^^^t^^y^^ho 
to 73. It is to he noted that all the members of twIfF^**" 
all parties from the free States, with but three 
exceptions, voted for the bill; while all the mem- 
bers from the slave States voted against it. Thewhatbyth© 
Senate, however, postponed consideration, and 
finally adjourned without acting upon the bill. 
Kansas thus remained a Territory until January, when did 

•^ "^ * Kansas 

1861, when it was admitted into the Union. sSeT* 

15. Durino- the Administration of Mr. Bu-whatnew 

1 *" o n /» T • T States were 

chanan, three States, all tree, were admitted : ^^"^i"®'^? 
Minnesota, Oregon, and Kansas. 

16. The excitement in respect to slavery was 
greatly enhanced by a singular ail'air. Among 
those who had sufi:ered in the Kansas troubles who was 

John 

were John Brown and his sons. Two of the^'°^' 
sons w^ere murdered, and the remainder of the 
family imbibed a monomaniacal hatred against 
slavery. After the pacification of Kansas, Brown, 
with two of his sons, went to Virginia, where he 
collected arms and ammunition, and gathered a 



476 BUCHANAN'S ADMINISTRATION. 

1859. band of seventeen whites and iive negroes. With 
Kat*" these, on the night of the 17th of October, 1859, 
Fw?/? ' he made a descent upon Harper's Ferry. The 

arsenal, containing 100,000 stand of arms, was 
unguarded. Brown took possession of it in the 
night, and in the morning, when the workmen 
came to labor, they were one by one secured. 
They held possession of the arsenal until nearly 
noon of the next day, when they were attacked 
by a company of United States marines. Of the 
Ts.mQof^' tAventy-two persons who composed the band, 
hishZxdi^ eleven were killed, among w^hom were the two 
sons of Brown, two escaped, and the others w^ere 
captured. Among the prisoners was John Brown, 
who was wounded. The prisoners were tried, 
found guilty of murder, treason, and inciting 
slaves to insurrection, and were executed in a 
What was few days. It was thouo;ht incredible that so bold 

thought of •^ C? 

hisattempt?^^^ cntcrprise should have been undertaken by 
so small a party, and it was at first believed to 
be a part of an extensive plan to arouse the 
slaves. It w^as, however, clearly shown that this 
was not the case, but that Brown had few or no 
accomplices except those who joined his band. 

1860, 17. The excitement on the subject of slavery 
d^ue^i^rhe gi'^^w more and more intense in Congress and 
coTvTntlon throug^hout the country as the time approached 

at Charles- ,. .^ . . .'^ .._ ^ i i^ . 

*o°? tor the nomination ot candidates for the Presi- 
dency at the next election. The Democratic 
Convention met at Charleston, South Carolina, 
on the 23d of April, 1860. After a stormy ses- 



POLITICAL CONVENTIONS OF. 1860. 477 

sion of ten days, the majority of the Southern i860. 
members withdrew Avhen the Northern delegates 
declined to adopt a platform recognizing the 
fullest right of slave-holders to carry their slaves 
into the Territories. The remaining members 
proceeded to ballot for candidate for the Presi- 
dency, having first passed a resolution that two- 
thirds of the votes of the full Convention should 
be necessary for a choice. As there were in a 
full Convention 303 votes, 202 were requisite. 
Mr. Douglas was the leading candidate, but his 
highest vote was 152; next was Mr. Guthrie, 
whose highest vote was 66. After forty-seven 
ballots, finding no possibility of a choice, the 
Convention adjourned, to meet at Baltimore, 
June 18. 

18. In the mean time, a Convention composed whaWM 

' ■•• done in the 

mainly of the American party met at Baltimore, yentlSn^'''"' 
May 9, and nominated John Bell for President, 
and Edward Everett for Vice-President. This 
Convention declared that it recognized "no poli- 
tical principle other than the Constitution and 
the country, the union of the States, and the 
enforcement of the laws.'' 

19. The Republican Convention met at Chi- ^h^f^^j^^^ 
cago on the 16th of May. It adopted a platform puwi 
recognizing the right of every State to regulate 
its own domestic institutions according to its 
own judgment exclusively; denying that the 
Constitution carried slavery into any of the Ter- 
ritories, and denying the right of Congress, of a 



of the Re- 
can 
Convention? 



478 Buchanan's administration. 

1860. Territorial Legislature, or of individuals, to give 
legal existence to slavery in any territory of the 
United States. 
Who were 20. Tlic Icadino; Republican candidates for the 

tho leading O L 

candidates? Presidcucy wcrc Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, 
and William H. Seward, of New York. There 
being 465 members, 233 votes were necessar}^ for 
a choice. On the first ballot Mr. Seward received 
173, and Mr. Lincoln 102; on the second ballot 
Mr. Seward had 184, and Mr. Lincoln 181. On 
the third ballot Mr. Seward received 180, and 
Mr. Lincoln 231; but, before the result was an- 
nounced, many members changed their votes in 
favor of Mr. Lincoln, — so that 354 votes were 

Who were anuounccd for him, and he was duly nominated. 

nominated? ^ ^ *' ^ 

Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, was nominated for 
Vice-President. 
What was 21. The Democratic Convention re-assembled 

done at the 

?rvenuon at Baltimore on tlie 18th of June. A dispute 
moreV" arosc respectiiig the admission of delegates from 
the States which had withdrawn at the Conven- 
tion in Charleston, and a large number of South- 
ern delegates seceded from the Convention. On 
the first ballot Mr. Douglas received 173 votes, 
being all but 15 that were cast. On the second 
b&llot he received 181, whereupon it was resolved 
Who were that hc should be considered nominated, although 

nominated? , • t r» i 

he lacked 21 votes of having two-thirds of the 
number of a full Convention. Mr. Fitzpatrick. 
of Alabama, was nominated for Vice-President, 
but he declined, and Herschell V. Johnson, of 



SLAVERY QUESTION. 479 

Georgia, was put in nomination. The platform i860. 
adopted by the Convention re-affirmed the Demo- ^^at^^aa 
cratic platform of 1856, and pledged the party to^""""^^ 
submit to the decision of the Supreme Court 
upon the question of slavery in the Territories. 
Mr. Douglas, however, had, not long before, put 
forth an elaborate argument to show that every 
Territory, as w^ell as every State, possessed the 
right to decide for itself the question of slavery. 

22. The members who had seceded formed what did 

the secedera 

themselves into a Convention, and nominated ^°^ 
John C. Breckinridge, of Kentucky, for Presi- 
dent, and Joseph Lane, of Oregon, for Vice- 
President. 

23. The question of slavery in the Territories what vas 

^ ^ the question 

was the absorbing one upon which the election °^^^«^^^^ 
of 1860 was to turn: though it constituted only 
a single plank in the platform, every one felt that 
it was the essential one, and that upon it the 
issue was to be made. 

24. The Republicans distinctly disavowed any what were 

^ *^ *^ the prin- 

right or wish to interfere with slavery in thejjpj^^^'bii^^® 
States where it exists. But they held that it was''^''^^ 
a purely local institution, established by State 
laws, and not by the Constitution of the United 
States, and that it could not, therefore, claim 
protection from the General Government, and 
could, therefore, have no legal existence in the 
Territories. Mr. Lincoln, who belonged to the 
moderate portion of his party, had expressly what hud 
declared, moreover, that, while Congress had the^^^^? 



480 BUCHANAN'S ADMINISTRATION. 

1860. power to abolish slaverj^ in the District of Colum- 
bia, he was not in favor of this being done with- 
out the consent of the masters. He, moreover, 
considered that any Territory with proper quali- 
fications should be admitted into the Union with 
the Constitution which it might adopt, whether 
it admitted or prohibited slavery. But he held, 
also, that slavery could only be legally established 
in a Territory when it should become a State 
and be admitted as such into the Union. Before 
that time it was under the control of Congress; 
and, as that body had no power to establish 
slavery, it could not grant it to a Territory. 
Se^^Jtfon 25. The Northern Democrats agreed with the 
era Demo-'" Republicans as far as the jurisdiction of a State 

orats ? ^ *' 



orats ? 



over the subject of slavery within tis own limits 
was concerned; but they held that the people 
of each Territory had the same right to regulate 
their domestic institutions. As it was admitted 
that the people of all the Territories were op- 
posed to slavery, the success of this party would 
practically prevent slavery from extending be- 
yond its present limits. 
slSthefn*^® 26. The extreme Southern Democrats, on the 
Democrats? ^^^iev haud, maintained that the Territories of 
the United States belonged to all the States in 
Qommon, — that every citizen had a right to go 
into them with all his property, — and that slaves 
being property as much as horses or cattle, their 
owners had a right to demand the recognition 
and protection of their property in slaves in the 



PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. 481 

Territories. They withdrew from the Conven- 1860/ 
tion at Charleston because that body would not 
assume this ground. 

27. The Constitutional Union party, as those wtat of the 

^ «^ ' Bell and 

who nominated Messrs. Bell and Everett styled ^j/^^««^ 
themselves, endeavored to ignore the absorbing 
question altogether, and went into the contest 
claiming the Constitution as their onlj^ platform, 
and the maintenance of the Union and the en- 
forcement of the law^s as their sole objects. 

28. The Republicans being firmly united, and wnausi saM 
their opponents divided, the election of Mr. Lin-*'^^^^-' 
coin was considered as almost inevitable, although 

in some States an attempt was made to unite all 
the opponents of the Republicans upon a com- 
mon or "fusion" ticket, with the understanding 
that if successful the electoral vote should be 
cast so as to defeat Mr. Lincoln if possible. None 
of these union tickets, however, succeeded. 

29. The election took place on Tuesday, No- whatwat 

■^ •^ ' the result of 

yember 6. The polls closed at sunset, and before *^eei«°*io»' 
midnight the telegraph brought the tidings with 
sufficient accuracy to render the result certain. 
In a short time it was definitel^^ known that, of 
the 183 electoral votes of the free States, Mr. 
Lincoln had received all, except 3 from New Jer- 
sey. These were cast for Mr. Douglas, who also ^^'^{J.*' 
received the 9 votes of Missouri, giving him but*^'"*''^''''^' 
12. Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee cast 
their 39 votes for Mr. Bell. The other slave 
States gave their votes, 72 in number, for Mr, 

20 



482 Buchanan's administration. 

i860^ Breckinridge. The number of electoral votes 
being 303, 152 were necessary for a choice. Mr. 
Lincoln, having received 180, was chosen. 

Se poJuYar 30. Thc clcctoral vote presents a very imper- 
fect indication of the votes actually cast by the 
people for the several candidates. The entire 
vote was about 4,660,000. Of these Mr. Lincoln 
received 1,857,000 ; and, distributing the votes 
cast on fusion tickets among the other candi- 
dates, according to the best data, there were cast 
for Mr. Douglas something more than 1,350,000, 
and for Bell and Breckinridge about 725,000. 
Each electoral vote cast for Lincoln thus repre- 
sented about 11,000 votes ; each for Bell, 18,000; 
each for Breckinridge, about 10,000. 

31. When the result of the election was known, 
the excitement at the South was intense, and the 
sentiment in favor of secession became predomi- 

whatwas nant. The Le2:islature of South Carolina called 

done in o 

South caro-^ Convcntion to consider the question. It met 
on the 17th of December, and three days after, 
by a unanimous vote, passed an ordinance de- 
claring that the 'Hmion now subsisting between 
South Carolina and other States, under the name 
of the United States of America, is hereby dis- 
solved.'' The Convention put forth a long list 
of grievances, mainly relating to the subject of 
slavery. This movement of South Carolina was 
ih^TJt^ speedily followed by other States: Mississippi 
rJ^'eT''^' seceding January 9, 1861; Florida, January 10; 



CRITTENDEN COMPROMISE. 483 

Alabama, January 11; Georgia, January 19 ; 1860> 
Louisiana, January 26 ; Texas, February 1. 

32. Congress convened on the 3d of Decem- 
ber. Mr. Buchanan's message was mainly de- 
voted to the secession movement. He recom- what did 

Mr. Bu- 

mended that the Constitution should be amended poseT^'"'^ 
so as to recognize the right of property in slaves 
in all States where it exists or shall be esta- 
blished ; to protect this right in all the Territo- 
ries while they continue such, and until they be 
admitted into the Union as States, with or with- 
out slavery, as their Constitutions shall pre- 
scribe; to uphold the fugitive slave law, and 
declare all State laws impairing it to be void. 
This message was, in the Senate, referred to a what™ 
committee of thirteen, embracing the leading ^°''«''^'" 
members of all parties. This committee reported, 
December 31, that they could not agree upon 
any plan of adjustment. 

33. In the mean time, Mr. Crittenden, of Ken- what^as 

^ ' Mr. Critten^ 

tucky, proposed, December 19, in the House of prom>eT" 
Eepresentatives, a plan of compromise. This 
plan restored the Missouri Compromise, prohi- 
biting slavery north of 36° 30^, permitting it 
south of that line ; admitted new States, with 
or without slavery; prohibited Congress from 
abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia 
while it existed in Virginia or Maryland; allowed 
the free transportation of slaves through any 
State; provided for the payment for fugitive 
slaves who should be rescued after arrest ; and 



484 BUCHANAN'S ADMINISTRATION. 

1860. asked the States which had passed ^'Personal 
Liberty Bills" to repeal them. All these provi^ 
sions to be submitted, as amendments of the 
Constitution, to the people, and, if adopted, to 
be unalterable. This plan of compromise was 

dIneUrit? rejected by the House. 

1861. 34. The State of Virginia now requested the 
Xo Peace <^"th^r Statcs to appoiut commissioners to meet 
Congress? ^^ ^ " Peacc Congrcss'' to adjust the difficulties. 

Members were appointed from most of the loyal 
States, — none appearing from those which had 
seceded. The Convention met at Washington, 
February 4. Ex-President John Tyler was elected 
chairman. They framed a plan embracing the 
main provisions of the Crittenden compromise, 
besides forbidding any future acquisition of ter- 
ritory without the vote of a majority of the Sena- 
tors from both the free and the slave States, and 
prohibiting the foreign slave-trade. This plan 
What did was presented to the House of Representatives 

Congress do? ■*• ■»■ 

and rejected. But a resolution was passed, by a 
vote of 133 to 65, proposing an amendment to 
the Constitution, providing that no amendment 
to the Constitution should be made abolishing 
slavery in any State where it may exist by law. 
dinfwith ^^- '^^^ forts, arsenals, and other public pro- 
perty in the seceding States were seized by the 
insurgents, with the exception of Ports Pickens, 
near Pensacola, Florida, which was held by Lieut. 
Slemmer, and Sumter in Charleston harbor, held 
by Major Anderson. The latter officer, having 



the forts ? 



CABINET TROUBLES. 485 

reason to apprehend that Fort Moultrie, where I861, 
he was stationed, would be attacked by a force ^^^^/2n- 
which his small body of troops could not resist, '^®'''°'''^'*^ 
had withdrawn, on Christmas night, to Fort 
Sumter, a fortress more capable of defence. Fort 
Moultrie was at once seized, and strong batteries 
were thrown up bearing upon Sumter, which 
was closely invested. 

36. The question of the reinforcement of these where was 

-*■ our army ? 

forts w^as warmly debated in the Cabinet. This 
was no easy task. Our army numbered in all 
but 16,000 men at the breaking out of the 
troubles, and was widely dispersed : only four 
or five companies were available now. In Texas 
General Twiggs surrendered all the men under 
his command, with an immense amount of stores why did 

^ Mr. Cass 

and ammunition. Mr. Buchanan wavered where wffiid 
he should have acted. Mr. Cass, the Secretary ^anfu'do? 
of State, resigned, because the President delayed 
to act. At length he decided to attempt to rein- 
force Fort Sumter. There was not a single war- 
steamer ready for service on the home station. 
An unarmed steamer was sent; but, on approach- 
ing the harbor, she was fired upon by the bat- 
teries, January 9, and forced to return. 

87. Mr. Buchanan had been unfortunate in the whatissaid 

of Mr. Bu- 

selection of a portion of his Cabinet. Mr. Cobb, caMnou 
Secretary of the Treasury, had resigned his post, 
and returned to Georgia, where he took an active 
part in favor of secession. A sum of $870,000, 
belonging to the Indian Trust Fund, was stolen 



486 BUCHANAN'S ADMINISTRATION. 

1861, from the Department of the Interior by a clerk 

namedBailey,under circumstances whichstrongly 

implicated Mr. Floyd, Secretary of War, as an 

whon^ow accessory. The President ordered him to resign 

andwhy? ^^ consequcncc. He sent in his resignation; 

but, although he had himself ordered Major 

Anderson to remove from Moultrie to Sumter, 

he impudently based his resignation on the 

ground that the President refused to order An- 

whatifisaidderson to return to Fort Moultrie. He fled to 

of Mr. 

Floyd! Virginia, — boasted that he had, while in office, 
aided the secession movement by dispersing our 
army and sending large quantities of arms and 
ammunition to the South, where they could be 
easily seized. He was subsequently appointed 
a brigadier-general in the Confederate army. 

Thompson?' Mr. Thompsou, Secretary of the Interior, also 
resigned. While acting as a member of the 
Cabinet of the United States, he had received 
and acted upon a commission from the revolu- 
tionary government of his State of Mississippi. 
The place of these traitors was supplied by loyal 
men. But the term of the Administration was 
now so short that the new Cabinet could do little, 
and Mr. Buchanan still clung to the hope, though 
State after State was seceding, that the difficulty 

What was might be settled without actual hostility. The 

cou?s??^ utmost that he could be induced to do was to 
refuse the demand of certain commissioners, 
delegated by the Governor of South Carolina, 
that Major Anderson should be ordered t.o eva- 



CONFEDERATE CONSTITUTION. 487 

cuate Fort Sumter, and, when they sent him an I86I. 
insulting letter, to refuse to receive it. 

38. On the 4th of February a Cone^ress of dele- what was 

•^ *-? done in the 

gates from the seven States which had now ^^ngrtssf * 
seceded met at Montgomery, Alabama, and 
adopted a provisional Constitution, electing Jef- 
ferson Davis as President, and Alexander H. 
Stephens as Vice-President. This Constitution 
was on the 4th of March superseded by a perma- 
nent Constitution, which in most respects iswhatissaid 

' -"^ of the Con- 

identical with that of the United States. The '^tnlt^^^ 
main points of difference are that the doctrine*'''''^ 
of State sovereignty, and by implication the 
right of any State to secede, is recognized ; that 
the President is chosen for six years, and cannot 
be re-elected ; and that no law can be passed 
impairing the rights of property in negro slaves; 
and slavery was to be recognized and protected 
in all territory which might thereafter be ac- 
quired by the Confederacy. 

39. Accordine^ to the census of 1860, the popu- what™ 

<-' J X X the popular 

lation of the United States at the close of Mr. *j'„^,fd*^' 
Buchanan's Administration was as follows, — the^^^^^'* 
figures being given in round numbers: — 



488 



Buchanan's administration. 



1861. 





FREE. 


SLAVE. 


TOTAL. 


Total population 
of States and 
Territories 

The seven seceded 
States had 

Four more States 
soon seceded, 
with 

Total Conf. States, 

Loyal States, '61. 


27,480,000 


3,950,000 


31,430,000 


2,660,000 
2,920,000 


2,310,000 
1,990,000 


4,970,000 
4,110,000 


5,680,000 


3,500,000 


9,080,000 


21,900,000 


450,000 


22,350,000 



40. Mr. Buchanan's Administration closed on 
the 4th of March, 1861 ; but the events of the 
next few months are so closely connected with it 
that it is proper to include them in this chapter. 

41. Mr. Lincoln left his residence at Spring- 
field, Illinois, on the 11th of February, for Wash- 

How^^^^^^ington, proceeding by the way of Cincinnati, 
waahing- ^^^^ York, and Baltimore. He reached Harris- 
burg, Pennsylvania, on the 22d. Here he learned 
that there was a plot to assassinate him on his 
passage through Baltimore. He then changed 
the proposed time for departure, hurried through 
Baltimore in disguise, and reached Washington 
the next day. The inauguration took place on 
the 4th of March without disturbance. 
^inhfs^^ 42. Mr. Lincoln's inaugural address was very 
inaugural? (jautious. Hc disclaimcd all right or wish to 
interfere with slavery in the States where it ex- 
isted. He denied the right of any State to secede 



FORT SUMTER SURRENDERED. 489 

from the Union, and declared that he should use I86I, 
all the power confided in him to enforce the laws 
in all the United States. 

43. Fort Sumter had been for some time be-jvhat^w , 

done at Fort 

leaguered by the Confederates, who had sent^''"^^*''' 
commissioners to the President to treat for its 
surrender; but they were not ofllcially received. 
It was decided to make an attempt to reinforce 
the fort, and the Confederate authorities were 
informed of the decision. They ordered Gr^n. J>^escnbetii6 
Beauregard to attack it ; for up to this time no 
active hostilities had taken place. Fire was 
opened on the 12th of April from Fort Moultrie 
and the batteries which had been erected. This 
was returned by Major Anderson with as much 
vigor as was possible with the small force under 
his command. But he had only about 100 men, 
including some 30 laborers, and they were ex- 
hausted by fatigue and hunger, — their only re- 
maining provisions consisting of salt pork ; and 
opposed to them were 7000 men and powerful 
batteries. 

44. The bombardment continued thirty-four why ^ras 

** the fort sur- 

hours; the wood-work of the fort was burned '^^°*^«'®*^' 
by hot shot, the magazine enveloped in flames, 
and the door closed by the heat. Only four bar- 
rels of powder and a few cartridges were avail- 
able. Finding further resistance useless, Major 
Anderson capitulated on the 14th of April. The 
men on both sides were so completely sheltered 

that no lives were lost ; but on saluting the Ame- 

21* 



490 Buchanan's administration. 

1861* rican flag, previous to its being hauled down, au 

explosion took place, by which one man was 

killed and several injured. 

MnLin^oitt ^^' Hostilities being thus commenced by the 

^*^ insurgents. President Lincoln, on the 15th of 

April, issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 

troops to assist in re-occupying the forts which 

had been wrested from the Government. The 

call was promptly responded to from all the free 

^I'coui? States. The Confederates treated this as a decla- 

federates j^^i[q^ ^f ^y^P^ ^^([ begau to movc troops towards 

Virginia, with the purpose of seizing upon Wash- 
ington and inducing all of the border States to 
join with them. But before they could arrive 
the capital was too strongly guarded for them to 
have any hope of success, 
whattook 46. The first troops advancine^ for the defence 

place April -«■ <^ 

19? of Washington were regiments from Pennsyl- 

vania and Massachusetts. A portion of these, 
when passing through Baltimore, were attacked 
by a mob, and several lives were lost on both 
sides. This encounter, in which the first blood 
in the civil war was shed, took place on the 19th 
of April, the anniversary of the battle of Lex- 
ington, fought just eighty-six years before, 
whatwas 47. Further additions were soon made to the 
ginia? list of the seceding States. The Convention of 
Virginia, which ^vas in session, passed, on the 
17th of April, an ordinance of secession, to take 
efiect, if ratified by the people, at an election 
appointed to be held early in May; but, in anti- 



VIRGINIA SECEDES. 491 

cipation of its adoption, the military force of the_i?51i 
State was placed under the control of the Con- 
federate Government. The northwestern part what in a 

^ part of the 

of Virginia, embracing about a quarter of the^'*^^' 
State, refused to be bound by the act of the Con- 
vention, and in efiect seceded from the State, 
though still calling itself the State of Virginia, 
and its Senators and Representatives were ad- 
mitted to seats in the Congress of the United 
States. The vote of the whole State was, how- 
ever, largely in favor of secession. 

48. The State authorities of Virginia did not, 
however, wait for the formal vote of the people 
before proceeding to actual hostilities against the 
Union. On the 18th of April they took posses- 
sion of the arsenal at Harper's Ferry, where what wai 
they secured a large amount of arms and ammu- Harper-a 
nition. The navy yard and arsenal at Norfolk 

was the largest in the United States. Here were 
several of the finest vessels belonging to the 
United States, undero:oin2: repairs. An attack what at 
was threatened upon this navy yard, and the 
officers in command weakly or treacherously 
abandoned it, after setting fire to or scuttling all 
the vessels there, except one — the Cumberland — 
which was got ofi*. The Virginians took posses- 
sion of the place, and secured with it more than 
2000 cannon, besides a large amount of ammu- 
nition. 

49. Amonff the vessels sunk at Norfolk was what is said 

^ of the Mer- 

the Merrimac, one of the finest steamers of our""**^^ 



492 BUCHANAN'S ADMINISTRATION. 



^^^^* navy. She was, however, only slightly injured, 
and was raised by the Confederates ; her upper 
works were cut down, and the vessel plated with 
iron and converted into a formidable engine of 
war. Nearly a year afterwards she came out 
from Norfolk, ran down and sunk two of our ves- 
sels of war in the harbor of Hampton Roads, with- 
out herself suflering the least damage from the 
cannon-balls which were fired against her. At 
What did that moment she was assailed by the Monitor, an 

the Monitor ^ . . 

^^' iron-clad vessel of peculiar construction, invented 

by Captain Ericsson, which had just reached 
the scene of action. The Merrimac was beaten 
off, and not long after was blown up by her com- 
mander, to prevent her capture by the United 

Mmarkabier Statcs. TMs combat between the Merrimac and 
Monitor, which took place March 9, 1862, is 
remarkable from being the first time in which 
iron-clad vessels have ever been used in actual 
war. 

When did 50. The progress of secession still went on. 

Arkansas 

caJouna^ Arkausas seceded on the 6th of May, and IsTorth 
Mcede? Carolina on the 21st of the same month. In 
What was Tennessee, where there was a strong: Union 

done m ' ^ ^^ 

Tennessee? feeling, cspccially in the eastern part of the State, 
the course adopted was similar to that in Vir- 
ginia. An ordinance of secession from the Union 
and accession to the Confederacy was passed in 
May, and submitted to the people on the 8th of 
June. The vote, as ofl&cially announced, was 
105,000 for separation, and 47,000 against it. 



COKCLUSION. 493 

51. Thus, by the middle of May, 1861, three i8Ci. 
months after the close of Mr. Buchanan's Ad- wj^^t states 

had seceded? 

ministration, eleven of the thirty-four States of 
the Union, with about one-fifth of the free or 
nearly one-third of the total population, had 
seceded, and set up as a new Government. Mont- y^^'-e ^'a« 

' J- the new 

gomery, Alabama, had hitherto been the capital thfcon-^ 
of the Confederacy; but on the 17th of May thesUef?® 
Congress adjourned to meet at Richmond, Vir- 
ginia. That city has since been the capital. 

52. The military events of the war, which com- 
menced immediately after the attack upon Fort 
Sumter, do not properly belong to the Adminis- 
tration of Mr. Buchanan ; and we have here onl}^ 
brought down the political history to the period 
of the secession of all the States which formed 
the new Confederacy. 



END. 



REFLECTIONS 



We have now glanced at the leading events in the history ot our 
country, from the period when the first bold adventurers beheld its 
shores to the present time. We have seen it in the richness of its prim- 
itive beauty, before the hand of civilization turned its forests into cities, 
or made its rivers and lakes the pathways of commerce. We have no- 
ticed the settlements made by the different colonists, on our Atlantic 
coast. We have seen them gradually increase, under the most dis- 
heartening difficulties. We have seen them repel Indian invasion, 
struggle with poverty, and oppressed by the tyranny of their mother 
land, until they indignantly repulsed the hand that was binding them 
with fetters, and trampled on the laws that would have made them 
slaves. We have followed our fathers through their long and bloody 
struggle for freedom, and have heard the shout that went up from an 
emancipated nation, and from the down-trodden in other lands, when 
that freedom was won. We have watched the progress of our free 
institutions, until we have seen the far west covered with cities and 
villages, gardens and cultivated fieldsj and the lakes and rivers swarm- 
ing with ships and steamboats. 

But little more than two centuries have passed away, since this 
whole land was a wilderness, and now, we behold it covered with a 
mighty nation, whose possessions stretch from the Atlantic to the Paci- 
fic, and whose influence is felt throughout the world. Our commerce 
extends to every country, and the sails of our merchant-ships may be 
tbund on every sea and in every port. Our canals, railroads, and the 
stupendous palaces which float on our vast rivers and lakes, seem al- 
most like the work of magic, so quickly have they been created in our 
midst. Our population has increased to an extent unparalleled in the 
history of nations. Our manufactures rival those of Europe, and many 
of the most important applications of science have been made by 
our citizens. The steamboat, the steam-car, and the lightning tele- 
graph, which bring the most remote parts of our country within speak- 
ing distance of each other are among the triumphs of their skill. In 
literature^ tht arts and sciences, we are taking a proud rank with the 



496 REFLECTIONS. 

oldest nations of Europe. Colleges, academies and schoois, ar 
tered over the land, and the blessings of education placed within the 
reach of all. Our government, free from a titled nobility and heredi- 
tary sovereignty, is founded on the principle that the sovereign can g-ov- 
ern himself. As that sovereign is the people, the stability of our free 
institutions rests, not on the power of the rulers, but on the intelligence, 
virtue, and intellectual strength, of this nation of kings. If the time 
ever come when this mighty fabric shall totter — when the beacon, 
which now rises a pillar of fire, a sign and wonder to the world, shall 
wax dim — the cause will be found in the grasping avarice, the vice 
and ignorance of the people. 

In looking at the histor}' of our nation, we can plainly see in every 
step of its progress the guiding hand of an overruling Providence, 
Through the dark period of our colonial history, through the toil and 
suffering of the Revolutionary struggle, and oar subsequent unpar- 
alleled prosperity, an Almighty power has watched over us and pro- 
tected us from harm. Let us not forget in our prosperity that Being to 
whom we owe all our blessings, both as a nation and as individuals. 
In our enthusiasm for military glory, let us not lose sight of the prin- 
ciples for which our fathers fought, or the landmarks which they 
planted in toil and blood. Let us remember, that no nation can flour- 
ish, whose children are not taught to fear God, and practise virtue, and 
that inspiration hath said, " Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is 
a reproach to any people." 



LIST OP AUTHORITIES. 




War with Great Britain ; Belknap's History of New Hampshire ; Trumbull's Civii and Eccle- 
siastical History of Connecticut; Lite of Capt. John Smith ; Hutchinson's History of Massa- 
chusetts Bay ; »rnith;s History of New York and New Jersey ; Proud's History of Pennsylva- 
n.a; Hewitts Histories of Carolina and Georiria; Ramsay's Revolution of South Carolina: 
Dw'ghts Journal; otevvarts Travels ; Wilhird's History of the United States; Hale's History 
o\ the United btates; Goodrich s History of the United States; Stone's Life of Brandt; Vol- 
HtnRli!^.n"h/""n["'^' Schfwlcraft's Travels; Rafinesque ; Mitchell; American Antiqua- 
rian Researches ; Clavigero's History of Mexico; Humboldt; Morse's Universal Geography ; 
if£®T/l^^"^^®lT^.^^^"^^^''^^''^"V.'''' ^^^^';= ^rimshaw's United States; Colden's His- 
tory of the Five Nations ; Encyclopedia;. Brackenbridge's History of the Last War; State 
Papers; Niles Register; Priest's Antiquities of America; Lossing's 1776; Life of Jackson : 
ji?.o S^'''"i1'*"/ Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence ; Lives of the Presi- 
fiJ^J ^- ''^^ Washington and his Generals ; Make Brun's Geograpliy ; De Tocqueville's 
te'JTS'"'^"'^^,''^! Trunabull's Indian Wars ; Prescott's Conquest o* Mexico; Life of 
£Mflt?rrh"i2LTn^ T^"^ his Generals; Life of General Scott ; Robinson's Mexico and 
ner JWiUtary Chiettams; Longacre and Herring's Narional Gallery. 



THP! 

CONSTITUTION 

OF THE 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

fVft«'ifd! hy a convention of delegates who met at PhiladeJ'phia^fi'om the states of New Hampshire^, 
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Neio York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Vir- 
gima, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, and adopted nth September, 1787. 

PREAMBLE.— "We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, estab- 
.ish justice, insure donaestic tranquillity, provi(ie !or the common defense, promote the general wel- 
(fire, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves- and our posterity, do ordain and establish thia 
Constitution for the United States of America. 

ARTICLE \.— Legislative powers. 

Sect. I— All lesrislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a congress of the United States 
which shall consist of a senate and house of reuresenfatives. 

Sect. 11— I. The house of representatives shall be composed of members, chosen every second 
year by the people of the several states, and the electors ii] each state shall have the qualifica- 
tions requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature. 

2. No person shall be a represenfcitive, who shall not have attained to the age oftwenty-five years, 
and been .seven years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an in-' 
habitant of that state in which he shall be chosen. 

•i. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states which may be 
included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by 
adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to servitude for a term of years, 
and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The actual enumeration shall 
be made within three years after the first meeting of the congress of the United States, and with- 
in every subsequent term of ten years, in such manneras they shall by law direct. The num- 
ber of representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have at 
least one repre.sentative : and, until such enumeration shall be maile, the st^te of New Hamp- 
shire shall be entitled to choose three, Massachusetts eight, R.hode Island and Providence Plan- 
tations one. Connecticut five, New York six. New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eisht, Delaware one, 
Maryland six, Virginia ten. North Carolina five.Sou'h Carolina five, and Georgia three. 

4. When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, tlie executive a uthority there 
of shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies 

5. The house of representatives shall choose their speaker, and other officers ; and shall have 
the sole power of' impeachment. 

Sect. Ill— I. The senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each 
state chosen by the legislature thereof, for six years : and each senator shall have one vote. 

2. Immedi itely after they shall he assembled, in consetiuence of the first election, they shall be 
divided as eo.ually as may be into three classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall 
be vacated at the expiration ofthe second year ; of the second class,at the expiration of the fourth 
year; and of the third class, at the expiration of the sixth year: so that one-third may be ch^'sen 
every second year; and if vacancies happen by resignation, or otherwise, durin? the recess ofthe 
legislature of any state, the executive thereof may make temporary appointments, until the next 
meeting of the legisl iture which sball fill such vacancies. 

3. No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and been 
nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of 
that state tor which he shall be chosen. 

4. The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no 
vote, unless they be equally divided. 

5. The Senate shall choose their other officers, and al=o a president pro tempore, in the absence 
of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the office of President of the United States. 

6. The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When sitting for that pur- 
pose, they shall be on oath or afifirmation. When the President of tne United States is tried, the 
chief justice shall preside ; and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two 
thirds of the members present. 

7. Judgment in case of i'^neachment shall not extend further than "to removal from office, and 
disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit, under the United States : 
but the party convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment*, 
and punishment according to law. 

Sect, jr.— 1. The times, places, and manner of holdin? elections for senators and representative;?, 
shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof; but the Congress may, at any time, by 
'aw, make or alter such regulations, excent as to the phice of choosing senators. 

2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall be on ths 
first Monday in December, unless they shall by law appoint a different day. 

Sect. V. —1. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its 
own members r and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business : but a smaller 

497 



498 



CONSTITUTION OF 



number may adjourn from clay to day, and may be authori7;ed to compe. tha att.enaance cl 
absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each House may provide. 

2. Each House may determine the rule of its proceedinjrs, punish ilsmemliers tor disorderly jo 
havior, and, wiih the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member. 

3. Each House shull keep a journal of its f*oceedings, and from time to time publish the same, 
excepting such parts as may in their judgnfjent require secrecy ; and the yeas and nays of the 
members of either House, on any question, shall, at the desire of onelifth of those presen*., be 
entered on the journal. 

, 4. Neither House during the session of Congress shall, without the consent of the other, adj urn 
tor more than three d& 's, nor to any other place than that in which the two Houses sha.. b« 
sitting. 

Zed. VI. — 1. The sena.ors and representatives shall receive a compensation for ♦heir services, 
to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treusiuy of the United States. Tl ^y shall in au 
cases, except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their at- 
tendance at the ser.cion of their respective Houses, and in going to or returning fi om the same; 
and tor any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other plact. 

2. No senator or representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed 
to any civil office under the authodty of the United States, which shall have been created, or 
the enioluments whereof shall have been increased, during such time ; and no per.«on holding 
any office under the United States shall be a member of either House during his continuance in 
office. 

Sect Vll.— \ A.11 bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Repre?f'ntatives ; bu« 
the S nate may propose or concur with amendments, as on other bills. 

^ 2. E/ery bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate shall, be- 
fore it become a law. be presented to the President of the United States ; if he approve, he shall 
sign ii ; but if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to that House in which it shall have 
origin ited, who shall enter the objection at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. 
If, aft^r such reconsideration, two-thirds of that House shall agree :o pass the bill, it shall be 
sent, together with the objections, to the other House, by which itshall likewise be reconsidered, 
and if approved by two-thirds of that House, itshall become a law. But in all such cases the 
votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting 
for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each House respectively. If any bill 
shall not be returned by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have 
been presented to him, the same shall be a law in like manner as xi he had signed it, unless the 
Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law. 

3. Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the Senate and House of Repre- 
sentatives may be necessary, (except a question of adjournment,) shall he presented to the 
President of the United States; and before the same shall take eHect, shall be approved by him, 
or being di3ai)proved by him, shall be re-passed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Rep- 
resentatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill. 

Beet. VIII. — The Congress shall have power— 

1. To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the 
common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts, and excises 
fchall be uniform throughout the United States. 

2. To borrow money on the credit of the United States. 

3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the In 
dian tribes. 

4. To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankrupt- 
cies, throughout the United St.ates. 

5. To coin money, regulate the value thereof, an^d of foreign coin, and fix the standard of 
weights and measures. 

6. To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United 
States. 

7. To establish post offices and post roads. 

8. To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors 
and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries. 

9. To censtitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court. 

10. To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and ofl^ences agains< 
the law of nations. 

11. To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures 
on land and water. 

12. To raise and support armies ; but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer 
term than two years. 

13. To provide and maintain a navy. 

14. To make rul^s for the govenu-nent and regulation of the land and naval forces. 

15. To provide tor calling tbrth the militia *n execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrec- 
tions, and repel invasions. 

16. To provide for organizing, arming, and di.sciplining the militia, and for governing .such part 
of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the states respec 
lively the ap{»ointment of the officers and the authority of training the militia according to the 
discipline prescribed by Congress. 

17. To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatsoever, over such district (not exceed ig 
ten miles square), as may, by cession of particular states and the acceptance of Congr.^ss, becon a 
ihe seat of government of the United States, and to exercise like authority over all i)iaces pur- 
chased, by the consent of the legislature of the state in which the same shall be. for the eix cti(,n 
efforts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful buildings- : and 



THE UNITED STATES. 499 

18. To make ai. -aws which shall be necessary ana proper for carrj'ing into execution tha 
foregoinff powers, and all other powers vested by this Constilutiou in the government oi* the 
United States, or any department or officer thereof. 

Sect. IX.— \. 'I'he migration or imf)ort,uticn of such persons as any of the states now existing 
shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year <»ne i)jou- 
sand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not ex- 
ceeding ten dollars for eacn person. 

2. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless when, in case of 
rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it. 

3. No bill of attainder, or ex-post-facto law, shall be passed. 

4. No capitarion or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumei- 
ation hereinbefore directed to be taken. 

5. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exf^orted fmm any state. No preference shall be 
given by any regulation of commerce or revenue to the ports of one state over tho.^^e of another. 
nor shall vessels bound to or from one state be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another. 

6 No money shall be drawn from the treasury but in consequence of approf)riations made by 
law : and a regular statement and account of the receipts and exj>endituies of ail public money 
shall be published from time to time. 

7. No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States, and no person holding any office 
c£ profit or trust under them shall, without the consent oi" Congress, accejjt of any present, emol' 
ument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state. 

Sect. X.— \. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confe.deration ; grant letters of 
marque and reprisal ; coin money ; emit bills of credit ; make any thing but gold and silver coin 
a tender in payment of debts : pass any bill of attainder, ex-post-lacto law, or law impairing the 
obligation of contracts ; or grant any title of nobility. 

2. No state shall, without the consent of Congress, lay ariy imports or duties on imports oi 
exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing its inspection laws ; and the net 
produce of all duties rjind imposts laid by any state on imports or ex!)orts shall be for the use of 
the treasury of the United States, and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and contrd 
of Congress. No state shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty on tonnage, keep 
troops or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with anotht; state. 
or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent dangei 
as will not admit of delay. 

ARTICLE II.— 0/ the Executive. 

Sect. I.— I. The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of Ameri 
ca. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the Vice President 
chosen for the same term, be elected as follows : — 

2. Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct, a number of 
electors, equal to the whole number of senators and re()resentatives to which the state may be 
entitled in Congress ; but no senator or representative, or person holding any office of trust or 
profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector. 

3. The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for two persons . of whom 
one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves. And they shall make 
a listofall the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each •, which list they shall sigi; 
and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed 
to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate 
and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The 
person having the greatest number of votes shall be the President, if such number be a majority 
of the whole number of electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such a 
maiority, and have an equal number of votes, then the House of Representatives sfiall immedi- 
ately choose by ballot one of them for President; and if no person have a majority, then, from 
the five highest on the li.<t, the said House shall in like manner choose the President. But in 
choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states; the repre.sentation from each state 
havinsr one vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two- 
thirds of the states, and a majority of nil the states shall be necessary to a choice. In every 
case, after the choice of the President, the person having the greatest number of votes of the 
electors shall be Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal votes, 
the Senate shall choose from them by ballot the Vice President. 

4. The Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors and the day on which they 
«hall give their votes, which <lay shall be the same throughout the United States. 

5. No peison except a natural-born citizen, or a citizen of the United States at the time of the 
Adoption of this Constitution shall be eligible to the office of President ; neither shall any person 
te eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been 
fourteen jears a resident within the United States. 

6. In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability 
to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice Presi- 
dent; and the Congress may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or ina- 
bility, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what officer shall then act as President, 
and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed or a President shall be 
electe<l. 

7. The President shall, »? .stated times, receive for his services a compensation, which shall 
neither be increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been elected, 
and he shall not receive withm that period any other emolument from the United States, or anj 
of tb&m. 



5C0 



CONSTITUTION OF 



8. Befbre he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation : 
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that 1 will faithfully execute the otfice of President of the 
United State-!, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitulicn 
of the United States." 

Sect. IL—l. The President shall be commander in-chief of the army and navy of the Unitea 
States and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United 
Slates; he may require the opinion in writing,' of the principal officer in each of the executive 
departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices ; and he shall 
have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases 
of impeachment. 

2. He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, 
provided two-thirds of the senators present concur: and he shall nominate, and by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate, sliall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, 
judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments 
are nor herein otherwise provided for, and which shall he established by law. But the Congress 
may by law vest the appointmont of such inferior officers as they think proper in the President 
alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments. 

3. The President shall have power to fill uj) all vacancies that may happen dunng the recess 
of the Senate, by granting commissions, which shall exvure at the end of their next session. 

Sect. III.—\. He shall, from time to tirpe, give to Congress information of the state of the 
Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and ex- 
pedient; he may, on extraoniinary occ<isiuns, convene both Houses, or either of them; and in 
case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may a<ijourn 
them to such time as he shall thitik proper ; he shall receive ambassadors and other public min- 
isters ; he shall take cire that the laws be faithfully executed ; and .shall commission all the 
officers of the United States. 

Sect. IF.- I. The President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United Stales, shall be 
removed from office on impeachment for and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes 
and misdemeanors. 

ARTICLE m.— The Judiciary— their Potoers, ^c. 

Sect. I.—\. The ju.'icial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and 
in such inferior courts as Congress may, from time to time, order and establish. The judges, 
both of the Supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior ; and shall, 
at stated times, receive for their services a compensation, which shall not be diminished during 
their contin jance in office. 

Sect. 11 — \. The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law and equity arising under this 
Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under 
their authority ; to all cases aflbcting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls; to all 
cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; to controversies to which the United States nhali 
be a party ; to controversies between two or more states ; between a state and citizens of an- 
other state ; between citizens of different states; between citizens of the same state claiming 
lands under grants of diflerent states ; and between a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign 
states, citiz(;ns or subjects. 

2. In all cases aflecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, and those in which a 
slate shall be a party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other cased 
befbre mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, 
with such exceptions, and under such regulations as Congress shall make. 

3. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury, and such tual 
ghall be held in the state where the ."said crimes shall have been committed ; but when not com- 
mitted witjiin any state, the trial shall be at such place or places as Congress mav by law have 
directed. 

Sect. lU.—l. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them, 
or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of 
treason, unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or confession in open 
court. 

2. Congiess shall have power to declare the punishment of treason ; but no attainder of 
vTcason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the person at 
♦ainted. 

ARTICLE IV— Relative to States. 

Sect. J.— 1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and ju- 
dicial proceedings of every other state. And Ci.ne:7cse may, by general laws, prescribe the man- 
ner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and tie effect thereof 

Sect. IL—\. The citizens of each state .^hall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of 
"itizcns in the several states. 

a. A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall f^ee from jus- 
tif?e and be found in another state, shall, on demand of the executive authority of the state horn 
which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the state having jurisdiction of the crime 

3. No person held to service or labor in one state, under the laws thereof, escaping info 
another, shall, iti consequence of any law or regulation therein, be lischargec from such service 
or labor ; but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may 
be due. 

Sect. III.— I. New states may be admitted by Congress into this union ; but no new state shall 
be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other state, nor any state be formed by the 



THE UNITED STATES. 501 

Junction of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent of the legislatures of the 
•tales concerned, as well as of Congress. 

2. Congress shall have power to dispose of, and make all needful rules and regulations respect- 
ing the territory, or other property belonging to the United States ; and nothing in this Consti- 
tution shall be po construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States or of any perticulai 
. sL-ite. 

Sect. IV.— I. The United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a republican form of 
government, and shall protect each of them against invasion ; and, on application of the icgisla- 
ture, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened), against domestic violence. 

ARTICLE v.— 0/ Amendments. 

1. Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose 
amendments to this Constitution; or, on the application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the 
several states, shall call a convention tor proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be 
valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of 
three-fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the 
other mode of ratification may be proposed by Congress; provided, that no amendment which 
may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, shall in any manner aflfect 
the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article ; and that no state, without its 
consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate. 

ARTICLE Yl.— Miscellaneous. 

1. All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this Constitution, 
shall be as valid against the United States tinder this Constitution, as under the confederation. 

2. This Consiitiition, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance 
thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United Statea, 
Bhall be the supreme law of the land ; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any 
thing in the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding. 

3. The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state 
legislatures, and all executive and judicial otficers, both of the United States and of the severa' 
states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support this Constitution; but no religious test 
shall ever be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, under the United States. 

ARTICLE VII.— 0/ the Ratification. 

1. The ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the establishment ol 
this Constitution between the states so ratifying the same. 

Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the states present, the seventeenth day of Sep- 
tember, in the year of our Lord, one thxymand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the In- 
dependence of the United States of America, the txoelfth. In ivitness wJiereof, we have here- 
unto subsc? ihed our names. 

The Constitution, although formed in 1787, was not adopted until 1788, and did not commence 
its operations until 1789. The number of delegates chosen to this Convention was sixty -five, of 
whom ten did not attend, and sixteen refused to sign the Constitution. The following thirty 
nine signed the Constitution : — 

New Hampshire.— John Langdon, Nicholas Oilman. 

Massachusetts.— NaihaLmel Gorham, Rufus King. 

Connecticut.— Wi\ha.m Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman. 

Neto Forfc.— Alexander Hamilton. 

Neio Jersei/.— William Livingston, David Brearley, "William Patterson, Jonathan Dayton. 

Pennsylvania.— Beniamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robert Blorris, George Clymer, Thonaai 
Fitzsimmons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris. 

Delaware.— George Read, Gunning Bedford, jr., John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jacob 
Broom. 

Maryland.— Ja.meff M'Henry, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Daniel Carroll. 

Virginia— John Blair, James Madison, jr. 

North Carolina.— WiWiam Blount, Richard Dobbs Spaight, Hugh WilUamson. 

South Carolina.— John Rutledee, Charles C. Pinkney, Charles Pinknej, Pierce Butler. 

Georgia.— Wi\lia,m Few, Abraham Baldwin. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON Fretidtnt 

WILLI AlVI JACKSON, Secretary. 



502 CONSTITUTION, ETC. 



AMEPMENTS 

To tfie Constitution of the United States, ratified according to the Provisions of the F'lfth 
Article of the foregoing Constitution. 

Art. /.—Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the 
free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press ; or the right of the 
people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. 

Art. II.— A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of 
the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. 

Art. IIL— No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of 
the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. 

Art IF.— The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, 
against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated ; and no warrants shall issue, but 
upon probable cause, supported by oath, or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to 
be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. 

Art. F. -No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unle.sa 
on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, 
or in the militia, when in actual service, in time of war, or public danger; nor shall any person 
be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb ; nor shall be compel- 
led, in any criminal case, to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or prop- 
erty, without due process of law ; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just 
compensation. 

Art. FI— In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public 
trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, 
which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and 
cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him ; to have compul.«!ory 
process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his de- 
fense. 

Art. Fll.—In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, 
the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact, tried by jury, shall be otherwise re-ex- 
amined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. 

Art. VIII. — Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and 
unusual punishments inflicted. 

Art. IX. — The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny 
or disparage others retained by the people. 

Art. X— The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by 
It to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. 

Art. XI— The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit 
in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States, by citizens of 
another state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state. 

Art. X/r.— The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot, for president 
and vice president, one of whom, at least, shiill not be an inhabitant of the samt «tat»i with 
themselves : they shall name, in their ballots, the person voted for as president, and, in distinct 
ballots, the person voted for as vice president; and they shall make distinct lists of all persona 
voted for as president, and of all persons voted for as vice president, and of the number of votes 
for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the government 
of the United States, directed to the president of the senate. The president of the senate shall, 
in the presence of the senate and house of representatives, open all the certificates, and the 
votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes for president, 
shall be the president, if such a number be a majority of the whole number of electors ap- 
pointed ; and if no person have such a majority, then from the persons having the highest num- 
bers, not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as president, the house of representatives 
shall choose immediately, by ballot, the president. But, in choosing the presiden-t, the vote 
shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote ; a quorum for this 
purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of tl e siaics, a«!d a majonty of 
all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the house of representatives ^^hall not 
choose a president, whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day 
of March next following, then the vice president shall act as president, as in the case of the 
death, or other constitutional disability of the president.. 

The person having the greatest number of votes as vice president, shall be the vice president, 
if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no person 
have a majority, then, from the two highest numbers on the list, the senate shall choose the 
vice president— a quorum for the purpose shaH consist of two-thirds of the whole number of 
senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. 

But no person, constitutionally ineligible to the office of presiden/, shall be eligible to that »f 
ice president of the United States. 



CHART OF 



HENRY VII., HENRY VIII., EDWARD VI., 
MARY, ELIZABETH. 



14^00. 

492. Colwnbus discovers America. 
1497. The Cabots, under Henry VII., discover 

the Continent of North America. 
14?9. The Portufjese send out Ojeda with 

Americus Vespucius. 

1500. 

1502. Columbus makes his fourth and last 

voyage. 
1506. He dies at Valladolid, in Spain. 
1512. Ponce de Leon discovers Florida. 
1523. Verrazani, under the French, explores the 

American Coast. 
1525. Narvaez attempts the conquest of Florida. 

1534. Cartier discovers the Gulf of St. Law- 
rence, and possesses it in the name of the 
King of France. 

1535. Cartier, in a second voyage, in which he 
ascends the St. Lawrence, names the 
country New France. 

1541. De Soto discovers the Mississippi. 
1562. Ribault leaves a French Colony on the 
Coast of Florida. 

1564. Laudonniere begins a French settlement 
on the river May. 

1565. L.'iudonuiere's Colony destroyed by the 
Spaniards, who possess the country.— St. 
Augustine founded by Pedro Melendez. 

1568. The Spanish Colony on the May, de- 
stroyed by De Gorgez. 

1576. Frobisher's Expedition. 

1578. Queen Elizabeth grants the first English 
Patent to hands in North America, to Sir 
Walter Raleigh. 

1583. Sir H. Gilbert takes possession of New- 
foundland. 

1599. Raleigh sells his Patent to the London 
Company. 



MISCELLANEOUS FACTS. 

The total population of the United States in 
1790 was 2.819.811 > in 1800, 5,30.5,937; in 
1810, 7,239,8U; in 1820.9,638,191; in 1830, 
12.866,020: in 1840. 17,069,453; in 1850, 
23,191,876; in 1860, 31,445.080. 

Total white pop. in 1860, 27,003,314; free co- 
loured, 487,996, slaves, 3,95.S,760. Pop. of 
the loyal States and Territories, 22,341,747; 
seceded States, 9,103,333. 

The number of Universities and Colleges was 
239; Students. 27.821: Academies and Pri- 
vate Schools, 6,085; Pupils. 263,096; Public 
Schools, 80,978: Pupils. 3,-354,011. 

Number of Baptist Churches, 9,360 : Episcopal, 
1,461; Friends, 728; .Jewish, .37; Lutheran, 
1.221; Methodist, 13,388: Presbyterian, 
4,863; Roman Catholic, 1,227. 



JAMES I., CHARLES I., CROMWELL, 
CHARLES 11.. JAMES II. 



MEXICO. 

1519. Cortez lands in Mexico. 

If2l. He conquers the City.— From this time 
until 1821, Mexico was governed by Vice- 
roys from Spain.— Revolution in Mexico, 



1600. 

1602. Gosnold discovers Cape Cod. 

1603. Henry IV., of France, grants Acadia to 
De Monts. 

1605. First permanent French settlement in 
North America made at Port Royal. 

1606. First Charter of Virginia i.ssued.— Virginia 
divided between the London and Plymouth 
Companies. 

1607. Jamestown, in Virginia, founded— the 
earliest permanent English settlement in 
North America. 

1608. Uuebec settled by Champlain. 

1509. Henry Hudson discovers the Hudson 
river. 

1610. Starving time in Virginia. 

1611. Sir Thomas Dale arrives in Virginia. 
1613. New York settled by the Dutch. 

1619. First General Assembly in Virginia. 

1620. Landing of the Puritans. — Voutjg women 
seni to Virginia, as wives for the planters. 
at)d sold for toi)acco.— Negroes introduced 
ley the Dutch, and Slavery commenced. 

1621. Charter granted to the Dutch West India 
Company, for settling the country between 
the Connecticut and Delaware rivers. 

1623. The Dutch erect Fort Nassau, on the 
Delaware.— Albany settled by the Dutch. 
1524. London Comf)any dissolved. 

1627. Swedes and Fins settle on the Delaware. 

1628. Patent of Massachv^etts obtained.— Set- 
tlement of Salem commenced. 

1629. New Hampshire granted to John Mason. 

1630. Heath's Patent to S. Carolina granted. 

1631. First General Court in Massachusetts.— 
Patent of Connecticut, granted. 

1632. Maryland granted to Lord Baltimore. 

1633. First house erected in Connecticut. 

1634. Commissioners appomted in England to 
govern the Colonies.— Roger Williams ban- 
ished. 

1636. Hartford settled.— Roger Williams settles 
R/iode Island. 

1637. Harvard Colbge established.— Pequod 
War. 

1638. New Hav(^n settled. 

1639. First Printing Office in America, at Cam- 
bridge. 

1643 Confederation of the New England Colo- 
nies. 

' 1653. Disputes between the United Colonies 
and the Dutch. 

1671. Charleston founded. 
I 1673. War between England and Holland.— 
j The Dutch take New York. 

I j^Ig; \ King Philip's War. 

1681. Penn receives a Charter for Pennsylvania. 

1682. Philadelphia founded. 

1694. Culture of Rice introduced in South Car- 
olina, from Africa. 

1697. Peace of Ryswick terminates King VrU 
Ham's War. 

503 



AMERICAN HISTORY. 



WILLIAM AND MAHV, ANNE, GEORGE I., 
GEORGE II., GEORGE III. 



1700. 

1702. Queen Anne's War. 

1703. First American Newspaper.— (Boston 
News Letter.) 

1710 First Post Office in America. 
1719 Aurora Borealis lirst seen in New Eng. 
1723. Vermont settled. 
1729. North and South CaroZina separated. 
\Ti3. Geors'ia settled. 

1738. Nassau Hall College founded at Prince- 
ton, New Jersey. 
1744. "War between France and England. 
1748. Peace restored. 

1754. Commencement of the old French War. 
Congress of Delegates from seven Colonics 
meet at Albany. 

1755. Defetrt of Braddock. 

1757. Fort William Henry taken by Montcalm. 

1759. Quebec taken— Wolfe killed. 

1764. Philadelphia Medical School founded. 

i765. Stamp Act passed.— Fzrsi Colonial Con- 
gress, from nine States, meet at N V^ork, 
and publish a Declaration of RighU* 

1766. Stamp Act repealed. 

1767. New Taxes imposed. 
1770. Boston Massacre. 

1773. Tea thrown into the Harbor at B^ton. 

1774. CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, at Phil- 
adelphia. 

1775. Revolutionary War begins. —^khmish at 
Lexington.— Bunker Hill. 

1776. Independence declared.— AmericanB de- 
feated on Long Island.— Battle of White 
Plains— Trentor.. 

I»777- Battle of Princeton— Bennington— B'-an- 
dywine— Stillwater— Germantown— Sara- 
toga.— Surrender of Burgoyne. 

1778. Treaty of Alliance between France and 
^w<e/7ca.— Battle of Monmouth.-A French 
Fleet, under D'Estaing, arrives.— Massacre 
nt Wyoming.— Savannah taken by the 
British. 

1779.— Sunbury taken by the British.— Battle at 
Briar Creek.- Storming of Stoney Point 
and Paulus Hook.— Battle of the Bon 
Homme Richard and Serapis.— Siege of 
Savannah. 

1780. Battle near Camden. S. C— Treason of 
Arnold. 

1781. Revolt of the Pennsylvania troops.— Bat- 
tle of Cowpens— Guiltbrd— Hobknk's Hill. 
^nti\\\ii,iinn^s.— Surrender of Cormoallis. 

1782. Treaty o/ Peace siirned. 

1783. Army disbanded.— Washington resigns his 
commission. 

1784. Shay's Rebellion. 

1787. Convention for Framing a Constitution. 

1788. Eleven State.^ adopt the Constitution 

1789. Canini en cement of the Federal Govern- 
tnent— Washington President. 

1791. Vermont admitted into the Union. 
^"^^^^f^entticlcy admitted into the Union.— 

U. S. Mint establisherl. 
1793. Washington again elected President. 
1^96 Tennessee admitted into the Union.— 

Washuigton's Farewell Addrean.-John 

Adams Pre.-^ulent. 
1799.— Washington dies 
504 



1800. 



1800. Seat of Government transferred to Wash 

inotvju. 

1801. ./f;//erson elected President. 

1802. 0//io admitted into the Union. 

180.3. Louisiana purchased.— War with Tripol» 
1807. A flair with the Chesapeake and Leop- 
ard—Burr's Conspiracy and Trial. 
1809. Madison's Administration. 

1811. A flair of the Little P,elt.— Louisiana ad- 
milted iv.to the Union.— Battle of Tippe- 
cai!oe. 

1812. Declaration of War against Great Britain 
by the United States— Surrender of Hidl. 
— Battle of the Constitution and Guerriere 
— Wasp and Frolic — United States and 
Macedonian— Constitution and Java. 

1813- Battle of the Hornet and Peacock.— Cap- 
ture of York— Death of Pike — Forts Georpe 
andErietaken.— BattleofLakeErie— ofthe 
Thames— on Lake Ontario— of Taladega. 

1814. Battle of Talapoosa—Chi{)pewa— North 
Point— Bridgewater. 

1815. Battle of New Orleans.— Treaty of Peace. 

1816. National Bank established.— /r?d?«??f/ ad- 
mitted into the Union.— Colonization So- 
ciety formed. 

1817. Monroe elected President.— Internal !m 
provements— Roads and Canals, com 
menced.— Mississippi admitted. 

1818. Jackson chastises the Seminoles.— ///i- 
nois admitted. 

1819. First Steam Ship sails for Europe.— ..4/a- 
bama admitted into the Union. 

1820. Northern Canal completed.— Mrtiwc ad- 
mitted. 

1821. Missouri admitted.— F7o7"icZrt ceded to the 
United States. 

1824. Lafayette visits America. 

1825. John Q. .(4rfcrw.5'Administration. 

1826. Adams' and Jefferson's death. 

1828. Tarifl'BiU amended. 

1829. Andreio Jackson's Administration.— First 
appearance of Cholera in America, at Que- 
bec—Black Hawk's War. 

1833. Removal of the Depo.sits from the U. S 
Bank to the State Banks. 

1835. Great Fire in New York.— Michigan ad- 
mitted.— 1835 to 1837, mania for Specula- 
tion rages. 

183S. Arkansas admitted into the Union. 

1C37. Van Buren's Administration.— Great pe 
cuniary distress.— Banks in New York stop 
Cpecie Payment. 

1839. B'uiks in N. Y. resume Specie Payment. 

1841, WiUiain H. Harrison President.— Diet 
April 4.— John Tyler President, 

1842. North-Eastern BoundaryQuestion settled 
1845. loioa and Florida admitted.— J«wm K 

Polk, President.— Morse s Telegraph car- 
ried into operation,— Texas admitted into 
the Union. 



1846. 

May 3. Fort Brown bombarded. 

•' 3. War declared against Me-\ico. 

" 8. Battle of Palo Alto. 

" 9. Battle of Resaca de la Palma. 
June 16. Oregon boundary settled. 



AMERICAN HISTORY. 



Aug. New Mexico conquered. 
Sept. 21. Siege of Moutere3' commenced. 
" 24. Mouterej capitulated. 



Feb. 8. California annexed. 

" 22. Battie of Buena Vista. 

'* 28. Chihuahua captured. 
Mar. 29. Vera Cruz captured. 
April 18. Cerro Gordo captured. 
Aug. 20. Battle of Charubusco. 
Sept. 8. Battle of Moliuo del Rey. 

" 13. Battle of Chapultepec. 

" 14. Geueral Scott entered the city of 
Mexico. 



184:8. 

Feb. 2. Gold discovered in California. 
" Treaty of peace with Mexico. 
May 29. Wisconsin admitted into the Union. 

18i9. 

Second appearance of cholera in America. 

Mar. 5. General Taylor inaugurated Presi- 
dent. 

Sept. 1. State Constitution adopted by Cali- 
fornia. 



1850. 

March 31. John C. Calhoun died. 

May 31. First American Arctic expedition 

sailed. 
May 3. Great fire in San Francisco. 
July 9. Great fire in Philadelphia. 
" 9. President Taylor died, and was suc- 
ceeded by Millard Fillmore. 
* 10. The question of the admission of Cali- 
fornia, and the passage of the Fugitive 
Slave Bill, caxised intense excitement 
throughout the country. 
Sept. I. Invasion of Cuba by General Lopez 
from New Orleans. 
" 9. Territories of Utah and New Mexico 
organized. — California admitted as a State. 
" 20. Flogging in the navy abolisheil. 
Oct. 9. Texas boundary settled by payment 
of $10,000,000 to the State of Texas. 
" Jefferson Davis made a speech in favor of 
secession. 
Nov. 13. Personal Liberty Bill passed in Ver- 
mont. 
*• 18. Governor Quitman, of Mississippi, 
called an extra session of the Legislature 
to oppose the admission of California. 
" 25. Mississippi Legislature convened. 
Dec. 11. State Convention held at Milledge- 
ville, Ga. 

1851. 

Jan. 27. Steamer John Adams sunk in Missis- 
sippi River — 123 lives lost. 

May 3. Great fire in San Francisco. 
" 5. Southern Rights Convention held at 
Charleston, S. C. 

June 22. Great fire in San Fr-ancisco, destroyed 
$3,000,000 worth of property. 

July 4. Corner-stone of the new Capitol at 
Washington laid. 

Aug. 12. Second invasion of Cuba by General 
Lopez. 

Sept. 30. First Grinnell expedition returned. 

Dec. 4. Kossuth visited the United States. 



1853. 
June 29. Henry Clay died. 

Arizona purchased. 
Oct. 24. Daniel Webster died. 

l¥53. 

Mar. 4. Franklin Pierce inaugurated Presi- 
dent. 

April 18. Hon. Wm. R. King, Vice-President, 
died. 

May 31. Second Grinnell expedition in search 
of Sir John Franklin sailed. 

July 14. Crystal Palace at New York opened. 



185^. 

Mar. 31. Treaty with Japan concluded. 

April 11. Southern Convention held at Charles- 
ton. 

May 25. Kansas and Nebraska Bill passed. 
Missouri Compromise repealed. 

July 13. Greytown bombarded by Commodore 
liollins. 

1855. 

Aug. — . First attempt to lay Atlantic Tele- 
graphic Cable. 

Oct. 11. Grinnell expedition returned, after 
an absence of two years and a half. 

856. 

Feb. 2. N. P. Banks elected Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, after balloting 
two months. 

May 14. Disturbances in California.— Vigi- 
lance Committee appointed in San Fran- 
cisco. 

May 27. British minister and consuls at Phi- 
ladelphia and New York dismissed for 
pi-ocuring enlistments in the United States 
for British army. 

June. Disturbances in Kansas between the 
Free State men and the Lecompton gov- 
ernment. 
" Indian war in Oregon and Washington 

Territories. 
" 19. Quantity of arms belonging to the 
State of California seized by the Vigilance 
Committee. 

July 4. Topeka Legislature dispersed by gov- 
ernment troops under Colonel Sumner. 

Aug. ~. Charter Oak, near Hartford, Conn., 
blown down. 
" IS. San Francisco Vigilance Committee 
disbanded. 

Sept. 1. Riot at Leavenworth, Kan.— Two 
persons killed. 
" 24. Steamer Niagara burned on Lake 
Michigan — 100 lives lost. 

Oct. 10. Disturbances in Kansas suppressed. 
" 15. Two hundred and forty organized 
Free State emigrants arrested in Kansas, 
and disarmed by Governor Geary. 
" 24. Riot between 2500 Chinese miners at 
Mound Spring, Cal. 

Nov. 23. Governor Adams, of South Carolina, 
advised the Legislature to prepare for the 
coming conflict, and advocated the revival 
of the slave-trade. 

Dec. — . A general feeling of alarm in the 
Southern States, in consequence of rumors 
of slave insurrections. 

505 



CHART OF 



Dec. 8. Sonthern Couventioa assembled at 

Savannah. 

1857. • 

Jan. — . Court records burnt in Salt Lake 
Cit}', by order of Brigham Young. 

Feb. 16. Dr. Kane died at Havana. 

Mar. 1. Attempt to poison Mr. Buchanan, 
while at the National Hotel, Washington. 
" 4. James Buchanan inaugurated Presi- 
dent. 

.^pril 20. Steamer Niagara left New York to 
assist in laying Transatlantic Telegraph. 

June — . Mormon rebellion. 

June — . Personal Liberty Bill passed in 
Maine. 

Auc;. II. Layiugof telegraph cable suspended. 

Sej>t. 12. Ste"amship Central America wrecked 
—400 lives lost. 
" 15. Emigrant train attacked by Indians, 
at Mountain Meadows, 300 miles south of 
Salt Lake City, and 134 emigrants mur- 
dered. 

Oct. — . Financial crisis in the United States. 
•• 5. Mormons attacked three government 

trains, and destroyed 78 wagons. 
" 13. Banks in the principal cities sus- 
pended specie payments. 

185 8. 
April 8. Governor Cumming arrived at Salt 
Lake City. 
" 10. Thomas H. Benton died. 
May 22. Minnesota admitted into the Union. 
June 7. Troubles in Utah settled. 
" 10. Second attempt to lay Atlantic Cable 
failed. 
July 17. Third attempt to lay Atlantic Cable. 
Aug. 5. Atlantic Telegraph Cable successfully 
laid from the U.S. steamer Niagara and 
the British steamer Agamemnon. 
" 16. First message transmitted from Lon- 
don to America, and on Sept. 1 the wires 
ceased to work. 
Oct. 5. Crystal Palace, New York, b'.irned. 
•' 9. First overland mail from California 
reached St. Louis. 
Dec. 2. Cargo of negroes landed on Jekyll 
Island, coast of Georgia. 

1^9. 

Jan. 2^^. Wm. XL Prescott died. 

Feb. 14. Oregon admitted into the Union. 

May 6. Gold discovered at Pike's Peak. 
" 11. Southern Convention met at Nash- 
ville. 

Aug. 1. Wyandotte Convention framed Con- 
stitution for Kansas. 

Oct. 11. United States Arsenal at Harper's 
Ferry seized by John Brown and 22 men. 

Dec. 2. John Brown hung at Charlestown, Va. 
" 16. Four of Brown's accomplices hung. 
" — . Governor Gist, of South Carolina, re- 
commends the secession of the South in 
case a Republican President should be 
elected. 

1860. 

Jan. 10. Pcmberton Mill, at Lawrence, INIass., 
foil, killing and maiming r)25 persons. 

Feb. 1. Mr. Pennington, of New Jersey, elec- 
ted Speaker of House of Representatives, 
after a two months' oonteHt. 
506 



Mar. 21. Japanese Embassy arrived at San 
Francisco. They reached Washington 
May 14, and left New York to reiuin to 
Japan 29th June. 
July 3. Third American Arctic expedition 
sailed. 
♦' 28. Great Eastern arrived at New York. 
Sept. 21. Prince of Wales visited the United 

States. 
Nov. d Abraham Lincoln elected President. 
Tliis event was immediately followed by 
preparations, on the part of several South- 
ern States, for withdrawing from the 
Union, and measures were at once taken 
to place the South on a war footing. 
" 22. Large number of banks suspended 
specie pa^'ments. 
Dec. 10. Howell Cobb, Secretary of the Trea- 
sury, resigned— succeeded by Philip F. 
Thomas. 
" 17. Lewis Cass, Secretary of State, re- 
signed—succeeded by Jeremiah S. Black. 
17. South Carolina State Convention as- 
sembled. 
•• 20. Ordinance of Secession passed South 

Carolina Convention. 
" 22. Robbery of $870,000 in Indian Trust 

Bonds discovered at Washington. 
" 25. South Carolina commissioners arrived 
in Washington. — Major Anderson aban- 
doned Fort Moultrie,' and transferred his 
garrison to Fort Sumter. 
" 30. Secretary Floyd resigned. 
" 31. Fort Moultrie, Castle Pinckney, the 
government buildings in Charleston, and 
the revenue cutter in the bay, seized by 
the South Carolina authorities. 

1861. 

Jan. 8. Mississippi seceded, 

♦' 10. Florida seceded.— The Star of the West 
fired upon at Charleston. 

" 11, Alabama seceded, 

" 19. Georgia seceded. 

'* 26. Louisiana seceded. 

" 30. Kansas admitted into the Union. 
Feb. 1. Texas seceded. 

" 4. Peace Convention met at Washington. 
—Confederate Congress met at Montgo- 
mery, Ala. 
Mar. 2. Territories of Colorado, Nevada, and 

Dakota formed. 
Mar. 11. Permanent Constitution adopted by 

Confederate Congress. 
April 10. Confederate government called for 
32,000 men. 

" 12. Fort Sumter bombarded. 

" 14. Fort Sumter evacuated. 

" 15. President Lincoln called for 75,000 
men for three months. 

" IS. Harper's Ferry abandoned by U.S. 
garrison, and the armory destroyed. — 
Penn.sylvania troops entered the capital. 

" 19. Massachusetts and Pennsylvania 
troops fired on by the mob at Baltimore.— 
3 of the soldiei-s and 9 of the mob killed. 

" 20. Gosport Navy Yard abandoned and 
destroyed by the U.S. forces.— Virginia 
seceded. — Bridges between Baltimore and 
Philadelphia burned by Secessionists. — 
Tennessee seceded. 
April 21. People of Western Virginia declared 
themselves for the Union. 



AMERICAN HISTORY. 



April 25. Governor Letcher, by proclam.atiou, 
declared Virginia united with the South. — 
Arms removed from St. Louis Arsenal by 
Illinois troops. 

" 26. Confederate Congress met at Mont- 
gomery, Ala. 
May 3. The President called for 60,090 soldiers 
for 3 years or the war, and 18,000 seamen 
for the navy. 

" 5. General Butler took possession of the 
Relay House, Md. 

" 6. Arkansas seceded. Confederate Con- 
gress recognized the existence of war be- 
tween United States and seceding States. 

" 10. Captain Lyon, afterwards General, 
seized the camp of State Militia near St. 
liouis, Mo. 

" 13. Proclamation of neutrality by British 
government. — Convention in WesteruVir- 
ginia to oppose secession. 

" 20. Telegraphic messages seized through- 
out the North. 

** 21. North Carolina seceded. 

" 24. Union forces advanced into Virginia, 
and occupied Alexandria and Arlington 
Heights. — Colonel Ellsworth killed. 
June 1. Postal service in the seceded States 
discontinued. 

" 2. Bftttle at Philippi, Western Virginia. 

" 3. General Beauregard in command of 
Confederate troops at Manassas, — Senator 
Stephen A. Douglas died at Cliicago. 

" 8. Tennessee adopted ordinance of seces- 
sion. 

*' 10. Disastrous skirmish at Great Bethel, 
Va. Union loss, 16 killed, 60 wounded, 

" 11. Convention met at Wheeling to form 
a provisional government. 

" 15. Harper's Ferry evacuated by Confede- 
rates, the machinery carried away, and 
the railroad bridge destroyed. 

** 17 and July 2. General Patterson's force 
crossed the Potomac at Williamsport. — 
Skirmish at Booneville, Mo., between 
troops of Governor Jackson and General 
Lyon's forces. 

" 19. Rebel camp at Philippi, Va., dispersed. 
July 5, Victory at Carthage, Mo. 

♦* 9. McClellan's victory at Laurel Hill, 
Western Virginia. 

" 11. Skirmish at Monroe, JIo. — Virginia, 
Texas, Arkansas, and Tennessee Sena- 
tors expelled from the U.S. Senate. 

" 12. General McClellan captured Beverley, 
Va.— Colonel Pegram and 600 men sur- 
rendered. 

** 13. Victory at Rich Mountain, Va, One 
hundred and fifty rebels killed and 
■wounded, and 600 captured. 

** 14. Victory at Carrick's Ford, Va.— Gene- 
ral Garnet killed. 

*' 15. SkirmishatBunker Hill, Va., between 
Patterson's advance and Confederate ca- 
valry. — General McDowell commenced 
his forward movement from Washing- 
ton. 

" 16. President Lincoln authorized to call 
out 500,000 volunteers. 

"17. Fairfax Court -House occupied by 
General McDowell's advance. — Skirmish 
at Scarry town. Western Va, 

*' 18. Fight at Blackburn's Ford, near Cen- 
•treville, Va. 



July 20. Confederate Congress met at Rich- 
mond, Va. 

*' 21. Battle of Bull Run, between 18,000 
Union troops, under General McDowell, 
and 23.000 Confederates, under General 
Beauregard, Union loss, 481 killed, 1011 
wounded, and 1216 missing. Confederate 
loss, killed 3.'^9, wounded 1200, missing 150. 
The Union troops lost twenty-five can- 
non, two thousand live hundred small 
arms, besides ammunition, and eight thou- 
sand knapsacks and blankets. 

" 22. General McClellan called to Wash- 
ington to take command of the Army of 
the Potomac. 

" 27. Fort Fillmore abandoned. 

" 30. Missouri Convention declared vacant 
the offices of Governor, Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, and the Assembly. 
Aug. 1. Slaves imprisoned at Alexandria re- 
leased, and employed on fortifications, by 
order of the Secretary of War. 

" 2. Battle of Dug Springs, Mo. 

" 5. Skirmish at Athens, Mo. — Galveston, 
Texas, bombarded. 

" 9. The village of Hampton, near Fortress 
Monroe, burnt by order of General Ma- 
gruder. 

" 10. Battle of Wilson's Creek, between 
Generals Lyon and McCulloch. Ten 
thousand rebels and about 6000 Union 
troops were engaged. General Lyon was 
killed. The Union loss was 1235, and that 
of the rebels, 1065. The Union forces 
afterwards fell back to Ralla. 

" 16. The President, by proclamation, de- 
clared the seceding States in a state of 
insurrection, and forbade all commercial 
intercourse with them. 

" 17. Fight at Charlestown, Mo. 

" 18. Privateer Jeff. Davis Mrecked at St. 
Augustine, Fla. 

" 20. General Wise defeated at Hawk's 
Nest, Va. 

" 26. Surprise of the 7th Ohio Volunteers, 
while at breakfast, at Summerville, West- 
ern Va. — General Butler's expedition left 
Fortress Monroe for Hatteras Inlet, N.C 

'• 27 and 29. Bombardment and surrender 
of Forts Hatteras and Clark, at Hatteras 
Inlet, N.C. Seven hundred prisoners, 31 
cannon, and 1000 stand of small arms were 
captured.— Confederates repulsed at Lex- 
ington, iNIo., by Home Guards. 

" 29. Fort Stanton, New Mexico, abandoned 
by order of Colonel Canby. 

" 31. General Fremont issued a proclamation 
(which was soon after annulled) declaring 
the slaves of all persons in arms against 
the government free men. Confederates 
occupied Munson's Hill, in sight of Wash- 

. ington. 
Sept. 4. Kentucky invaded and Columbus oc- 
cupied by rebels, under General Leonidas 
Polk, and Bowling Green soon after occu- 
pied by General Buckner. 

" 6. Paducah, Ky., occupied by General 
Grant. 

" 11. Fight at Lewinsville, Va., between 
Gritfin's battery and Stuart's rebel cavalry. 
— Battle at Carnifex Ferry, Western Va. 

" 12-15, Skirmishes at Cheat Mountain.— 
John A. Washington killed. ' 

&07 



CHART OF 



Sept. 12. Confederate camp at Petersburg, Va., 
routed and destroyed. 

" 13. Skirmish at Elk water, Western Va., 
between rebel General Anderson and 
Loomis's battery.— Fight between Missouri 
Home Guard arid rebcl-s under Col. Brown. 

" 14. Privateer Judali burnt, under the guns 
of Pensacola Navy Yard, by Lieutenant 
Russell, U.S. Navy. 

" 15. Affair at Darnestown, Va., between 
Colonel Geary's pickets and 450 rebels. 

" 16. Siege of Lexington, Mo., commenced, 
and continued until the 20th inst., when 
C(«l Mulligan and 3500 men surrendered, 
■with 3300 small arms and sabres, 750 horses, 
$100,01)0 worth of commissary stores, and 
$90:),000 in money, which had been buried. 
—Legislature of Maryland prevented 
from meeting to pass ordinance of seces- 
sion, by the arrest of many of the mem- 
bers.— Naval expedition desti'oyed Fort 
Oregon, at Ocracoke Inlet, N.C. 

" 17. Rout of Confederates at Mariatown, Mo. 
— Skirmish at Blue Mills Landing. Union 
loss, 12 killed and 91 wounded and missing. 

" 20 Kentucky invaded by rebels. 

'* 21. Confederates at Papinsville, Mo., sur- 
prised and routed by General Lane. 
Confederate loss, 40 killed, and 100 pri- 
soners. 

" 23. Skirmish at and capture of Mechanics- 
burg Gap, Va., by Ohio troops. 

" 24. SkirmLsh between the 28th Pennsylva- 
nia and 500 rebels, near Point of Rocks. 

" 30. Colonel Geary shelled the rebel works 

on the Potomac opposite Berlin, Md. 

Oct. 3. Skirmish at Green Briar, Western Va., 

between Union forces, under General 

Reynolds, and rebels, under General Lee. 

*' 4. Confederate forces, 40(>0 strong, attacked 
the Union troops at Chicomacomico, on 
Ilatteras Island, but were repuised and 
driven off by the gunboat Monticello, with 
heavy loss to the Confederates. 

*' 8. .John C. Breckinridge, ex-Vice-Presi- 
dent, and a United States Senator, issued 
an address to the people of Kentucky, de- 
claring his intention to resist the Federal 
authority. He was afterwards made a 
general in the rebel arniy. 

** 9. Attack upon Wilson's Zouaves on Santa 
Rosa Island, liy 1800 rebels from Pensacola. 
They were repulsed, with a loss of 350 
killed, wounded, and missing. 

*' 12. Commodore HoUins unsuccessfully at- 
tacked the Union fleet at the Southwest 
Pass of the Mississippi, by means of lire- 
ships, a " turtle" ram, and 6 gunboats. 

" 14. Secretary Seward advised the Gover- 
nors of the loyal States to perfect the 
fortifications of the seaboard and lake 
boundaries. 

" 16. Colonel Geary, with 400 men, captured 
21,000 bushels of wheat near Harper's 
Ferry. Returning, he was attacked by 
the rebels, but repulsed them, capturing 
one32-ponnder. 

" 18. Potomac River completely blockaded 
by rebel batteries. 

" 21. Battle of Ball's Bluff. Colonel Baker, 

with about 1900 men, crossed the Potomac, 

near Leesburg, but were driven back by 

the rebels, under General Evans, M-ith a 

608 



loss of 200 killed and about 700 wounded 
and prisonex's Colonel Baker was killed. 
—General Zollicoffer attacked the Union 
troops at Camp Wildcat, but was r' pulsed 
with severe loss. — Colonel Plummer, with 
2.500 Union troops, attacked and routed 
5000 rebels, under Genei-als Jeff. Thomp- 
son and Lowe. 
Oct. 24. General Fremont's body-guard, under 
Major Zagonyi, charged into Springfield 
with about 150 men. The rebels were 
completely routed. Of the guard, 15 were 
killed, 27 wounded, and 10 missing. 

" 25. General Kelley attacked and roTited 
the rebels at Romney,Va., capturing their 
guns and camp equipage. 

" 28. General Fremont entered Springfield. 

** 29. General Sherman's expedition, con- 
sisting of men-of-war and transports, sailed 
from Hampton Roads for Port Royal, S.C. 
— Provisional Government for Kentucky 
established at Bowling Green. 

" 31. Lieutenant-General Winfield Scott 
retired from active service in the army. 
He entered the army as a volunteer in 
1807;. appointed captain in 1808. lieute- 
nant-colonel in 1812, colonel in 1813, bri- 
gadier, and soon after major-general, in 
1814, and, as a reward for his distinguished 
services, the rank of lieutenant-general 
was conferred on him in 1855. — General 
McClellan appointed to the chief command 
of the army of the United States. 
Nov. 2. General Fremont removed from the 
command of the Western Department. 

" 4. Part of General Sherman's expeditioa 
arrived off Port Royal, S.C. 

" 7. Forts Walker and Beauregard, at 
Port Royal, attacked by vessels under 
Commodore Du Pont, and, after a bom- 
bardment of three hours, surrendered, the 
garrison escaping to the interior. Forty- 
two heavy guns were captured, and also a 
large amount of ammunitioji. — Battle at 
Belmont, Mo., between Generals Grant 
and McClernand and the rebels, under 
General Cheatham. The rebel camp was 
destroyed, and after a long and severe 
contest, the Union troops retired to their 
transports. Union loss, 84 killed, 28 
wounded, and 235 missing. Rebel loss, 
261 killed, 427 wounded, and 278 missing. 

" 8. Town of Beaufort, S.C, occupied by 
Union troops. — Commodore Wilkes cap- 
tured the rebel commissioners. Mason and 
Slidell, while on board the British mail 
steamer Trent. 

" 9. General Nelson attacked the rebels 
near Piketon, Ky., and compelled an un- 
conditional surrender. Two thousand 
prisoners were taken. 

" 10. General Halleck appointed to the 
command of the Department of the West, 
in place of Generals Hunter and Fremont. 
— One hundred and fifty Union soldiers 
enticed into a private house in Guyan- 
dotte, Va., and there murdered or taken 
prisoners. The next day the village was 
burnt by Virginia Union volunteers, ia 
re aliation for the murder. 

" 13. General Lockwood, with 4000 troops, 
occupied Accomac and Northampton coun- 
ties, Va. 



AMERICAN HISTORY. 



Nov. 14. General Benham defeated Floyd at 
iM<-Coy*3 iMills. 

" 19. Rebel privateer Nashville burnt the 
ship Harvey Birch, near the British Chan- 
nel. 

" 20. " Stone fleet" sailed from New London, 
Conn., to blockade Charleston harbor.— 
Three thousand Confaderates laid down 
their arms and disbanded, in Accomac 
county, Va. — Genei'al Floyd retreated 
from Gauley River, losing most of his camp 
equipage and ten wagon loads of arms and 
ammunition. 

" 22 and 23. Forts McRae and Barrancas 
bombarded by Fort Pickens and the ships 
in the harbor. Fort McRae was silenced, 
and the town of Warrington destroyed. 

" 23. Part of General Butler's expedition 
sailed for New Oi'leans. 

" 25. Convention to form a new State met 
at Wheeling. 
Dec. 2. Engagement between four Union gun- 
boats and the rebel iron-clad Patrick 
Henry, near Newport News. 

" 3. Skirmish at Salem, Lent county, Mo. 
— 3d Pennsylvania cavalry, while on a 
reconnoissanee to Vienna, Va., captured, 
but cut their way out, with a loss of 45 
killed, wounded, and missing.— Advance 
of General Butler's expedition landed at 
Ship Island. 

" 4. Arm> and munitions of war prohibited 
from cKportation from any Brirish port. 

" 9 Rebel batteries at Shipping Point de- 
stroyed. 

" 11-12 Destructive fire in Charleston, S.C. 

" 13. Genei'al Milroy defeated General John- 
ston at Camp Alleghany, Va., killing 31 
and wounding 97. 

•* 17. Battle near Munfordsville, Ky. Sixty- 
two rebels killed. 

" 18. Colonel .letf C. Davis captured 1300 
rebels at Milford, Mo. 

" 20. Fight at Dranesville, Va., between 
General Ord and rebel General Stuart. — 
Stone fleet sunk in the channels leading to 
Charleston. 

" 26. Mason and Slidell released by Secre- 
tary Se V ard. 

" 30. Banks again suspended specie pay- 
ments. 

1863. 

Jan. 1. Battle on Port Royal Island, S.C— 
Second bombar Iment of Forts Barrancas 
and Warrenton, from Fort Pickens. 

" 2. Mason and Slidell embarked on board 
British steamer for Europe. 

" 4. General Jackson defeated the 5th 
Connecticut regiment, which was gnard- 
ing the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, near 
Hancock, Va , and destroyed the track. 

** 5. Senator Bright, of Indiana, expelled 
from the United States Senate. 

" 8. Severe skirmish, and defeat of rebel", 
at Blue Gap, near Romney, Va.— Skirmish 
at Paintville, Ky.— Rebel camp in Ran- 
dolph county. Mo., destroyed. 

" 13. Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of 
War. resigned. Succeeded by Edwin M. 
Stanton. 

" 17. Ex-President John Tyler died at Rich- 
mond. 



Jan. 18. Battle of Mill Spring, Ky. General 
ZoUicotfer killed. Rebel loss, 115 killed ; 
10 cannon, lOo wagons, and 1200 horses 
captured. 

" 28. Fort Pulaski cut off from Savannah, 
by expedition under Captains Davis and 
Rodgers, of the navy. 
Feb. 6 Fort tleury, on the Tennessee River, 
captured by Commodore Foote's naval 
expedition. 

" 8. Roanoke Island, N.C, captured by 
General Burnside. 

" 9. Naval engagement near Elizabeth City, 
N.C. Four rebel vessels destroyed. 

" 13. General Curtis surprised the rebels at 
Springfield, Ark. — Skirinish at Blooming 
Gap, Western Va. 

" 15. Rebels evacuated Bowling Green, Ky. 

" 16. Fort Donelson surrendered to General 
Grant, the garrison consisting of 14,000. 

" 17. Nasliville abandoned by rebels. 

" 19. Clarksville, Tenn., surrendered to 
Commodore Foote. 

" 21. Battle at Valverde, New Mexicc. 

" 22. Jefferson Davis inaugurated President 
of the Southern Confederacy for six 
years. 

" 25. Military possession taken of all tele- 
graphs in the North. 

" 2S. Skirmish at Keittsville. Mo. Four 
guns captured from the rebels. 
Mar. 2. General Lander died. 

" 3 Columbus, Ky., evacuated. 

" 6. President I.,incoln sent to Congress a 
message, proposing a seheme for emanci- 
pation with compensation. 

" 6, 7, and 8. Battle of Pea Ridge. Ark., 
between Union forces, under Generals 
Curt's and Sigel, and the rebels, lander 
McCuHoch, Price, and Van Dorn. Union 
loss 212 kil'ed, 925 wounded, 174 missing. 
Rebel loss, 4000, including prisoners. 

" 8. Destruction of the frigates Cumberland 
and Congress, by the rebel steamer Mer- 
rimao, in Hampton Roads. 

" 9. Great naval battle between the rebel 
iron-plated steamer Merrimac and the 
Monitor. 

" 10. Centreville, Va., occupied by Union 
troops. 

" 11. General McClellan, on taking the 
field, was relieved from the chief command 
of the army, — Manassas evacuated by 
rebels, and occupied by General 31cClel- 
lan's advance. 

" 12. Winchester, Va,, reoccupied byUnioa 
forces. 

" 14. New Madrid, Mississippi, evacuated 
by the rebels, leaving all their guns and 
ammunition.— Fort Marion. Fla., repos- 
sessed.— Battle at Newbern, N.C. Forty- 
six siege guns, 18 field pieces, .3000 small 
arms, and 300 prisoners captured. 

•* 16. Island No. 10 invested by gnnboats 
under Commodore Foote. — Pound Gap, 
Tenn., captured by General Garfield. 

" 18- Skirmish at Salem, Mo. One hundred 
rebels killed and wounded. Union loss, 

" 23. Battle of Winchester, Va., between 
the troops of General Shields and the 
rebels, under Stonewall Jackson. Union 
loss, 132 killed, 540 wounded. Rebel loss, 
500 killed and about 1000 wounded. 
609 



CHART OF 



Blar. 25 —Acqnia Creek evacuated by rebels.— 
Rob«l >5uiiboac sunk near New Madrid. 
" 28. Battle at Apache Cafion, New Mexico. 
Rebel loss, 150 killed, 200 wounded.— Skir- 
mish near TuUahoma, Tenn. 
" Skirmish at Middlebnrgh, Va. 
April 1. Skirmish near Watt's Creek, near 
Newport News. Va. — One hundred men of 
tiie 43J Illinois surprised a rebel battery 
at Island No. 10, and spiked the guns. 

" 5. Yorktown, Va., invested by General 
McClellan. 

" 6. Gunboat Pittsburg safely passed the 
rebel batteries at Island No. 10. — First 
day's battle at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. 
General Albert S. Johnston killed. 

" 7. Second day of battle of Pittsburg 
I-anding, between 60,000 rebels, under 
Johnston, Beauregard and Polk, and 70,000 
Union troops, under Generals Grant, 
Bnell, Nelson, and Prentiss. Union loss, 
1735 killed, 7882 wounded, and 395G miss- 
ing. The rebels left 2700 dead on the 
field.— Island No. 10 abandoned by the 
rebels. One hundred and twenty-three 
pieces of artillery and large quantities of 
ammunition captured.— General Pope sent 
a portion of his force across the Missis- 
sippi, and captured 6700 rebels, with 30 
field-pieces and 7000 small arms. 

" 10. Huntfiville, Ala., surprised by General 
Mitchel. Fifteen locomotives' and 200 
prisoners captured, 

" II. Fort Pulaski. Ga., surrendered, after 
a bombardment of 30 hours.— Second raid 
of the rebel steamer Merrimac, in Hamp- 
ton Roads. 

" 12. Expedition from Iluntsville to Stevens 
Station captured 5 locomotives and 2000 
prisoners.— Dec 'tar. Ala., occupied by 
General Mitchel.— Bridges on the JNlobile 
& Oliio Railroad destroyed by United 
States troops. 
" 16. Bnttle at Lee's Mills, near Yorktown, 
Va.— President signed the bill abolishing 
slaverv in the District of Columbia. 

" 17. Skirmish at Edisto Isl.and, S.C. 

" 18. Bambardnient of Forts St. Philip and 
Jackson, below New Orleans, commenced. 
— General McDowell's advance reached 
the Rappahannock, opposite Fredericks- 
burg. 

19. Skirmish near Newmarket, Ya.— The ex- 
pedition underGeneral Reno, sent to South 
Mills, N.C., succeeded in destroying the 
locks of the Dismal Swamp Canal. 

" 23. A portion of Commodore Farragnt's 
fleet succeeded in passing the forts below- 
New Orleans, and attacked and destroyed 
the rebel fleet of iron-clad gunboats and 
rams, 11 of which were sunk. 

" 25. New Orleans surrendered to Commo- 
dore Farragut.— Forts on Lake Pontchar- 
train abandoned bv the rebels, 

" 26. Fort Macon, N.C., surrendered after 
a bombardment of 11 hours. Fifty heavy 
guns, 20.000 lbs. of powder, and 400 small 
arms captured. 

" 27. Fort Livingston, below New Orleans, 
surrendered. 

" 28. Forts Jackson and St. Philip surren- 
dered to Captain D. I). Porter. 

" 30. Expedition to Bridgeport, Ala., under 
510 



General Mitchel, dispersed 6,800 rebels, 
tinder General Kirby Smith. 
May 4. Yorktown evacuated, the rebels aban- 
doning 70 guns and a large amount of 
army stores. 
" 5. Battle of Williamsburg, Va. Union 
loss, 300 killed and 700 wounded. Rebel 
loss, 400 killed, 800 wounded, and 1400 
prisoners. 

" 7. Battle at AVest Point, Va. 

" 8. Sewall's Point shelled by Union gun- 
boats. 

" 9. Fight near Farmington, Tenn.— Gene- 
ral Hunter issued a proclamation declaring 
freedom to all slaves in the military de- 
partment of South Carolina, Georgia, and 
Florida. 

" 10. Fight at McDowell, Western Va. 
Union loss, 2.30 killed and wounded. Re- 
bel loss, 240 killed and wounded. — Naval 
battle at Fort Wright, on the Mississippi. 
—General Wool landed 5,000 men at Wil- 
Joughby's Point, and marched on Norfolk, 
which 'surrendered.— Gosport Navy- Yard 
burned by the retreating rebels. 

" 11. Rebel iron-clad Merrimac blown up 
by the rebels.— Robert Small, a slave, and 
a negro crew, ran away with the rebel 
steamer Planter, from Charleston, and 
surrendered her to the blockading fleet. 

" 12. Ports of New Orleans, Beaufort, N.C, 
and Port Royal, S.C, opened to trade by 
proclamation of the President, 

" 13. Natchez, Miss., surrendered to the 
Union fleet. 

'• 16. Skirmish near Front Royal, Va., be- 
tween 17 men of Colonel Geary's regiment 
and 300 rebel guerrillas. 

" 17. Union iron-clads repulsed at Fort Dar- 
ling, on Drury's Bluff, near Richmond. — 
Sutfolk. Virginia, occupied byUnion troops. 
Tinder Colonel Dodge. 

" 19. Severe skirmish at- Lacey, Ark,, 1.50 
rebels killed. Union loss, 15 killed, 31 
wounded. — Proclamation of Hunter free- 
ing slaves annulled b}' the President. 

" 20. General Naglee's division crossed the 
Chickahominy. 

" 21. Skirmishing along the whole line of 
works at Corinth, daily, until its evacua- 
tion. 

" 23. Skirmish near New Bridge, Va. Four 
cannon, 200 small arms, and 100 prisoners 
captured. — Colonel Kenly, with 900 men, 
attacked by Jackson with 20,000 men, at 
Front Royal. 

" 24. General Banks retreated from Stras- 
burg towards Winchester, pursued by 
Generals Ewell and Stonewall Jackson.— 
Mechanicsville, near Richmond, captured. 
—Fight at Ellison's Mills. 

" 25. General Banks made a stand at Win- 
chester, and, after a severe fight, continued 
his retreat to Martinsburg.— Fight at El- 
lison's Mills, Va., renewed.—Skirmish at 
Mechanicsville, near Richmond, 

" 26. Battle at Corinth, jNIiss.— General 
Banks crossed the Potomac, having re- 
treated 53 miles in two days, losing only 
50 out of 500 wagons. 

" 27. Battle at Hanover Court House, Va. 
Union loss, 53 killed, and 326 wounded 
and prisoners. Rebel los.'?, 100 Hilled, and 



AMERICAN HISTORY. 



900 wounded and prisoners.— Battle at 
Corinth, and defeat of tiie rebels. 
May 29. Rebels, under General Beauregard, 
abandoned Corinth, the retreat having 
been commenced two Aveeks previously. 
They succeeded in taking away every gun, 
and all the ammunition and stores. 

" 30. Corinth occupied by Union arn)y, un- 
der General Halleck. --Front Royal re- 
captured by Colonel Nelson. 

" 31. First day of the battle of Fair Oaks. 
June 1. General Fremont recaptured Stras- 
burg, driving out the rebels, under Jack- 
son, —Second day of the battle of Fair 
Oaks. Union loss in the two davs: killed, 
890 ; wounded, 3627 ; missing, 1222. Rebel 
loss, .5897. 

** 2. General Hooker advanced to within 
four miles of Richmond. — General Banks 
recrossed the Potomac, and advanced to 
Bunker Hill. 

" 3. Bombardment of Fort Wright com- 
menced. 

*' 4. Cavalry engagement near IMumfrees- 
boro, Ala. Six Union cavalry killed, and 
64 captured. 

" 5. Evacuation of Forts Wright and Pillow, 
on the Mississippi. 

** 6. Memphis surrendered to the Union gun- 
boats, after a severe naval battle, in which 
seven of the rebel fleet were desti'oyed, 
one only escaping.,— Battle at Tainter's 
creek, near Washington, N.C. 

" 7. Fight at Harrisonburg. Va., in which 
the rebel General Ashby was killed.— 
General Neglev cannonaded the rebels at 
Chattanooga. ~Wm. B. Mumford hung at 
New Orleans for tearing down the Ameri- 
can flag. 

•' 8. Engagement before Richmond, Va.— 
Battle of Cross Keys, Va., between Gene- 
ral Fremont's forces, and rebels, under 
Jackson. Rebel loss, 500 killed, wounded 
unknown. Union loss, 125 killed, 500 
wounded. 

" 9. Battle at Port Republic, Va., between 
General Shields and Stonewall Jackson. 
Union loss, 124 killed, 292 wounded, and 
514 prisoners.— Engagement at Grand 
Gulf, Miss. 

"11. Artillery skirmish at Gaines' Mills, 
Vi.. 

** 12. Reconnoiss.anoe in force to Meadow 
Bridge, on the Chickahominy. 

" 13. General Stuart's cavalry raid to Tun- 
stall's Station and the White House, on 
the Peninsula. 

" 15. Fort at St. Mark's, Fla., captured. 

" 16. Battle at Secessionville, on James 
Island, S.C. Union loss, 700 killed, 
wounded, and missing. 

" 17. An expedition ascended White River 
to St. Charles, Ark. During the engage- 
' ment a rebel shot entered the boiler of 
the gunboat Mound City, killing and scald- 
ing 154 persons. Rebel loss, 230 killed 
and prisoners. 

*• 18. Union troops occupied Cumberland 
Gap, Tenn, — Grand Gulf, Miss., shelled 
by Union gunboats. — Six Union soldiers 
hung at Atlanta, Ga.— Rebel camp at 
Manchac, La., dispersed. 

*' 20. Holly Spring.s, Miss., occupied by 



Union ti'oops. — Mississippi Central Rail- 
road destroyed. — Skirmishing (ommenced 
in front of Richmond, continuing until the 
26th. 
June 21. Rebel camp at Simon's Bluff destroyed 
by gunboat Crusader. 

" 25. Battle at White Oak Swamp, Va. 
Union loss, 200 killed and wounded. 

" 26. Bombardment of Vicksburg com- 
menced. — Expedition up the Yazoo River. 
Two rebel gunboats destroyed.— it having 
become evident to General McClellan that 
the rebel army in Richmond had been 
so largely reinforced that he could no 
longer hope to maintain his extended line 
of operations, he determined to change his 
base from the Pamunkey to the James 
River. The retreat occupied seven days, 
on each of which a severe battle was 
fought, commencing at INlechanicsville on- 
the morning of this day. The total loss 
during the retreat was 15,224 killed, 
wounded, and missing, and the total loss 
in the campaign on the Peninsula, from 
sickness, resignations, wounds, and death, 
is estimated at 36,0ii0. 

" 27. General Pope takes command of the 
Army of Virginia. — General Fremont, de- 
clining to serve in an inferior position, 
was relieved of his command. — Battle at 
Gaines' Mills, and at Coal Harbor, Va. — 
White House evacuated. 

" 28. Commodore Farragut's fleet passed the 
batteries at Vicksburg. — Fight at Garnett's 
Farm, Va. — McClellan's entire army 
crossed the Chickahominy. 

" 29. Battles at Peach Orchard and Savage 
Station. 

" 30. Skirmish at Luray, Va.— Battles of 
White Oak Swamp, White Oak Creek, 
Charles City Cross Roads, and New Mar- 
ket Cross Roads, Va. 
July I. Governors of the loyal States requested 
the President to call out 300,000 men. 
—Battle of Malvern Hills, Va.— Battle at 
Boone ville. Miss. Union loss, 41 killed 
and wounded. Rebel loss, 65 killed, 
wounded unknown. 

" 2. The Army of the Potomac reached 
Harrison's Landing, on the James River. 
— Canal at Vicksburg, designed to change 
the course of the Mississippi, commenced. 

" 3. Bombardment of Vicksburg by com- 
bined fleets of Commodore Farragut and 
Captain Davis. 

♦' 5. Skirmish at Harrison's Landing. 

" 6. Fight near Memphis, Tenn. 

" 7. Genei-al Burnside, with a portion of 
his command, reached James River. — 
Fight near Holly Springs. Miss.— Battle 
at Round Hill, Ark. Rebel loss. 94 killed, 
wounded, and prisoners. Union loss, 8 
killed and wounded. 

" 9. Engagements on Roanoke River, and 
at Hamilton, N.C— Fight at Tompkins- 
ville, Ky. 

" 10. Memphis, Mo., captured by rebel guer- 
rillas. — The President, at the request of 
the loval Governors, issued a call for 
300,000'volunteers. 

" 11. General Halleck appointed comman- 
der-in-chief of the U.S. Army. 

•* 12. Skirmish at Culpepper, Va. 

511 



CHART OF 



July 13. Capture of Murfieesborough.Tenn., by 
rohel (jieueral Forrest. Uniou loss, 33 
killed, 62 wounded, and 800 prisoners. 
Rel)el loss. 50 killed, and 100 wounded.— 
Kebel t-avairy attacked Orange Court- 
lloiise, and tore up tlic railroad-track, 
and burnt the bridge over the Kapidan. 

" 15. Fight at Favetteville, Ark.; 1600 
rebels routed. — Rebel ram Arkansas es- 
caped frotn the Yazoo River to Vicksburg. 

" 18. Mr. J^indsay, in British Parliament, 
introduced a resolution for the recogni- 
tion of tlie Southern Confederacy, and for 
mediation. 

" '21. A general exchange of prisoners of war 
agreed upon. 

" 22. Rebels captured Florence, Ala., and 
burnt a steamboat, a warehouse, and much 
government property. 

" 24. Martin Van Buren, ex-President, 
died. 

" 25 Siege of Vicksburg discontinued. 

" 27- Steamer Golden Gate burnt, near Man- 
zanilla: 180 lives lost, and $1,400,000 in 
treasure.— Skirmish near Patten, Mo., be- 
tween ^Missouri Militia and guerrillas. — 
Fight near Moore's Mills, Va. Rebel.* 
routed, with a loBS of 52 killed and 100 
wounded. 

" 29. Guerrillas dispersed at Mount Ster- 
ling, Ky., with a loss of 8 killed, and 100 
prisoners. 

" ;jO. Skirmish near Brownsville, Mo. 

" 31. Rebels shelled the camp and shipping 
at Harrison's Landing, Va., killing 5, and 
■wounding 2 men. 
A.ug. 1. Expedition crossed James River and 
drove away the rebel batteries engaged in 
shelling Harrison's Landing.— Fight at 
Newark, Mo. Eight hundred guerrillas 
captured. 

" 2. Guerrilla fight at Ozark, Mo.— Gene- 
ral Burnside's army left Newport News 
to Join General Pope. — Reoonnoissance to 
Cox's Mill routed the 13th Virginia ca- 
valry, and burnt their encampment. 

" 4. The President ordered a draft for 
300.000 men.— General Butler, at New 
Orleans, ordered an assessment on ail 
persons who contributed to the raillion- 
and-a-qiiarter rebel loan,of one-fourth of 
such contribution, to support the poor of 
that city. 

*' 5. General Hooker defeated the rebels at 
-Malvern Hills, capturing 4 guns and 128 
prisoners.— Attack upon Baton Rouge, 
J.a., by General Breckinridge.— Fight at 
Tazewell Gap, Tenn. Rebel loss, 225 
killed and wounded. Union loss, 318 
killed and wounded, and 50 prisoners. 

" 6. General Robert L. McCook murdered 
by guerrillas near Salem, Ala.— Com- 
modore Porter, with the Essex, destroyed 
tho rebel ram Arkansas, near Baton 
Rouge. 

" 7. Fight at Kirkville, Ark. One hundred 
and twenty-eight rebels killed. Sixteen 
of the prisoners captured were hung for 
violating Mieir parole.— Rebel cavalry sur- 

^^ prised .It Faulkner, 'J'enn. 

" 8. Order issued prohibiting persons liable 
to military duty from leaving the coun- 

612 



Aug. 9. Battle at Tazewell, Tenn. Rebel loss, 
250 killed and wounded, and 213 wagons 
and 70 horses captured. — Battle of Cedar 
Mountain, Va. Union loss, 1250 killed 
and wounded, and 250 prisoners. — Fight at 
Sparta. Tenn. Thirty rebels killed. 

" 11. Fight at Kinderhook, Ky.— BayoU 
Sara occupied by Union troops. — Indepen- 
dence, Mo., surrendered to the rebels. 
Union loss, 20 killed, 230 prisoners, and a 
large amount of stores. 

" 12. Rebel General Morgan captured Gal- 
latin, Tenn., and 300 men and 60 horses. 
— Clarksville, Tenn., surrendered. 

*• 13. Collision on the Potomac between 
steamers General Peabody and West 
Point. Seventy-nine lives lost. 

" 16. General McClelian's army moved from 
Harrison's Landing, through Williams- 
burg and Yorktown, to Fortress Monroe, 
and thence to Alexandria, where it was 
united to that of Pope and Burnside. — 
Fight near Warfield, Ky., between 70 Ken- 
tucky Home Guards and 208 rebels. 

" 17. Governor Magoffin, of Kentucky, re- 
signed. 

" 18. General Pope retreated from Cedar 
ftlountain towards the Rappahannock. 

" 19. Skirmish at White Oak Ridge, Mo. 

" 20. General Blunt drove the rebels across 
the Osage River, they abandoning their 
baggage and equipments.— Skirmish near 
Brandy Station. Va.— Cajtain Atkinson 
with 20 men repulsed 1000 guerrillas at 
Edgefield Junction, Tenn. 

" 21. Captain Goodwin and one company of 
34th Indiana regiment surrendered to 500 
rebel cavalry, after killing 25 of their as- 
sailants. 

" 22. Gen. Stuart's and Lee's cavalrv at- 
tacked Catletfs Station, Va., capturing 
Gen. Pope's baggage and official papers, 
and destroying a large amount of stores. — 
Fight at Edgefield Station,Va. Rebel loss, 
7 killed, and 20 wounded.— Gen. Johnston 
defeated near Gallatin, Tenn., with a loss 
of 59 killed and wounded, and 300 prisou- 
ers. 

" 23. General Pope retreated from Rappa- 
hannock Station, Va., destroying the rail- 
road-bridge, depot, and station-houses.— 
Severe fight near Richmond, Ky. Unioa 
loss, 10 killed, and 40 prisoners. 

" 24. Skirmish at Red Bend, Ky.— Rebels 
defeated at Cape Girardeau, Mo,, with a 
loss of 30 killed, 50 wounded, and 16 pri- 
soners. — Rebel camp at Monroe, La., cap- 
tured. 

" 25. Cavalry fight at Waterford.Va.— Bat- 
tle near Bloomfield, Mo. Rebel loss, 20 
killed, 60 wounded, and many prisoners, 
60 horses, and 70 small arms.— -Guerril- 
las surprised near Danville, Ky.— Rebels 
repulsed at Fort Douelson, Tenn. Loss. 
30 killed. 

" 26. Rebels appeared at Bristow and Ma- 
nassas Stations, and captured seven trains 
and ten locomotives, with immense quan- 
tities of military stores, and on the same 
evening surprised and captured three com 
panies of infantry at Manassas Junction. 
—Fight near Chattanooga, Tenn. 

" 27. Battle near Kettle Run, Va. 300 re- 



AMERICAN HISTORY. 



bels killed and wounded, and 700 captured. 
Union loss, 50 killed, and 200 wounded.— 
Skirmish at Bull Ran. 
Aug.28. Fight near Woodbury,Tenn. Rebel loss, 
8 killed, .SO wounded, and 15 prisoners. — 
Fredericksburg, Va., evacuated by General 
Burnside, and the bridges blown up. 

" 29. Second battle of Ball Run, Va., lasting 
from daylight of the 29th until night on 
the 30th when General Pope ordered the 
whole force to fall back upon Centreville. 
X'nioa loss, 4000 killed and wounded. 
Rebel loss estimated at 5000 killed and 
wounded.— Skirmish at Richmond, Ky. 

*' 30. Fight at Bolivar. Tenn. Union loss, 
25 killed and wounded.— Battle at Rich- 
mond, Ky., between 9000 men under Ge- 
neral Manson, against 15,000 under Gene- 
ral Kirby Smith. Union loss, 250 killed, 
and 600 wounded. — Buckhannon and Wes- 
ton, Western Virginia, captured by rebels 
under Jenkins and Imboden. 

" 31. Union troops surprised at Morganfield, 
Ky. 
Sept. 1. Battle at Chantilly, Va.,— Generals 
Kearny and Stevens killed. Loss, 1000 
killed and wounded. — Fight at iMedon. 
Tenn. Rebel loss, 110 killed, and .300 
wounded and abandoned. — Rebel cavalry 
routed at Pittman's Ferry, Mo., and their 
camp captured. 

*' 2. Engagement at Plymouth, N.C., be- 
tween 300 Union troops, under Sergeant 
Green, with 1400 rebels. After one hour's 
fightins, the rebels were repulsed with a 
loss of 30 killed, and 41 prisoners. — Gene- 
ral McClellan in command of all the 
troops for the defence of Washington and 
of the Armies of Virginia and of the Po- 
tomac, when they reached Arlington 
Heights.— Defeat of the rebels at Britton's 
' Lane, Tenn Rebel loss. 110 killed, and 
250 vyounded.— Martial law declared in 
Cincinnati. Frankfort, Ky., occupied by 
General Kirby Smith.— W'inchester, Va., 
evacuated by Union troops, and Fort Sigel 
blown up.— United States Army train of 
100 wagons captured near Fairfax Court- 
House, Va. 

" 3. Skirmish at Geyer Lake, Ky.— General 
Pope's army fell back from Centreville to 
Arlington Heights and Munson's Hill. 
—Pope superseded by General McClellan. 

'* 4—6. The rebel army, under Lee, Long- 
street, Hill, and Jackson, crossed the Po- 
tomac, near Leesburg. 

" 6. Colonel Lowe recaptured Clarksville, 
Tenn., driving out 450 guerrillas.— Union 
troops at Washington, N.C, attacked by 
1400 rebels, who were repulsed. Rebel 
loss, 30 killed and wounded, and 36 pri- 
soners. 

** 7. Frederick, the capital of Maryland, oc- 
cupied by General Lee.— Rebels repulsed 
at Martinsburg.Va., and 50 prisoners cap- 
tured.— Bloomfield, Mo., shelled by the 
rebels. 

** 8. General Lee issued a proclamation to 
the people of .Maryland.— Fight atGauley, 
Va. — Skirmish atPoolesville, Md. 

** 9. Williamsburg, Va., captured by the 
rebels. Colonel Campbell and 9 men were 
killed. 



Sept. 10. Battle at Fayette, West Va., between 
4000 rebels, under General Loring, and 
1200 Union troops, under Colonel Siber. 
Union loss, 100 killed and wounded.- 
Gauley, Va., evacuated, and $.500,000 
worth of army stores destroyed. 

" 11. Hagerstown, Md., occupied by General 
Lee. — Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, 
called out 50,000 State militia, to repel 
threatened invasion by the rebel army 
in Maryland. — General Burnside's divi- 
sion of McClellan's army entered Fre- 
derick, the rebels withdrawing. 

" 12. General Kirby Smith fell back from 
the line of the Ohio River, and ceased to 
threaten Cincinnati. — Attack on Harper's 
Ferry commenced. — Rebels driven from 
Sugar Loaf Mountain, Md.— Jackson re- 
crossed the Potomac, for the purpose of 
attacking Harper's Ferry. 

" 13. Cavalry skirmish at Middletown, Md. 
— Rebels advanced near the Pennsylvania 
line.— Colonel Miles abandoned Maryland 
Heights, and retreated to Harper's Ferry, 
having spiked the guns and thrown them 
down the Heights. 

" 14. Battle at Munfoi-dsville, Ky. Rebels 
repulsed, with a loss of .500 killed and 
wounded, and two guns. — Battle of South 
Mountain, Md., between 40,000 rebels and 
the army under General McClellan. Ge- 
neral Reno was killed. Union loss, 443 
killed, 1806 wounded, and 76 missing. 
Rebel loss. 500 killed, 2000 wounded, and 
1500 prisoners. General Garland, of N. 
C, killed. — Prentiss, Miss., burned by 
United States g'lnboats. 

** 15. Harper's Ferry surrendered to the 
rebels under Jackson and Hill. 11,583 
men, 73 pieces of artillery, 11,000 stand of 
arms, 1800 liovses, with immense quantities 
of military stores, fell into their hands. 
— 2000 cavalry, who had escaped from Har- 
per's Ferry, captured Longstreet's ammu- 
nition-train. 

•' 16. Fight at Pleasant Valley, Md. 

" 17. Battle of Antietam, Md., between the 
whole army of the rebels, 97,000 strong, 
and that ofGeneral McClellan. The bat- 
tle commenced ax daylight, and continued 
for fourteen hours. During the night and 
the next day the rebels retreated across 
the Potomac, abandoning their dead and 
wounded. Rebel loss at South Mountain 
and Antietam, killed 4000. wounded 18.742, 
prisoners 500!). Union loss, 2453 killed, 
12.222 wounded, and 76 missing. The re- 
bels lost 13 guns, with caissons.2Meld-forges, 
and 39 stand of colors : 14,000 small arms 
were picked up on the battle-field. Ge- 
neral Mansfield, of the Union army, was 
killed, and, on the rebel side. Generals 
Starke, Anderson, Whiting, Branch, and 
Colquit were killed. — Munfordsville, Ky., 
surrendered to the rebels, with a garrison 
of 4000 men.— Cumberland Gap evacuated 
by General Morgan 

" 18 Harper's Ferry and Maryland evacu- 
ated by the rebels. 

" 19. Battle at luka, iVIi s. General Rose- 
crans, with 12,060 men, defeated General 
Price, with 17,000. Union loss, 120 killed 

5L^ 



CHART OF 



and 200 wounded. Rebel loss, 261 killed. 
— Fight at Boonshoro, Ky. 
Sept. 20. Rebels routed at Boonshoro, Ky., with 
a lo-^s of 3S killed and 25 wounded.— Fight 
at Carthage, .Mo.— Fight at Shepherds- 
town, Va. Philadelphia Corn Exchange 
Regiment lost 45 killed, 121 wounded, and 
112 missing. 

" 21. General McCook drove 8000 rebels out 
of iMunfordsville. Ky.— Kentucky Home 
Guards surrendered to the rebels at New- 
castle. 

•* 22. President Lincoln issued a proclama- 
tion, declaring that the slaves of all per- 
sons in States in rebellion against the 
United States on the 1st of January, 1863, 
should be forever free. — Rebels advanced 
on Louis,ville.— General Nelson ordered 
all women and children to leave Louis- 
ville, in anticipation of an attack. 

" 2.3. General Bragg demanded the surrender 
of Louisville. 

** 21. The Governors' Convention met at 
Altoona, Penna. 

" 25. General Biiell's advance reached Louis- 
ville. Ky. — Town of Randolph, Miss., de- 
stroyed by United States gunboats. 

" 27. Relief cavalry burned Augusta, Ky. 
— Bnell's army entered Louisville, and 
General Bragg retired two days afterward. 
Union killed, 15. Rebel loss, 75 killed 
and wounded. 

*' 28. Rebel General Anderson demanded 
the surrender of Nashville, Tenn,, which 
was refused by General Negley.— General 
Foster, with 12,000 troops, leftNewbern on 
a secret expedition to Goldsborough, 

'• 29. General Nelson shot at Louisville, Ky,, 
by General Jefferson C, Davis, 

" 30. Rebels routed at Russellville, Ky, 50 
killed, and 15 taken prisoners, — Fight at 
Newtonia, Mo. Union loss, 140 killed, 
wounded, and prisoners, 
,)ct, I. Western gunboat fleet transferred from 
the War to the Navy Department,— Sabine 
Pass, Texas, captured, with the fort. 2 
camps, 30 buildings, and 10 rebel vessels 
were burned, 

" 2, Skirmishing near Louisville, Ky, 

" 3. The rebels attacked at Franklin, on the 
Blackwater River, Ya, Rebel loss, 200 
killed and wounded,— Fight at Black- 
water, near Suttolk, Va.— General Rose- 
crans attacked at Corinth, Miss,, bv 
40,tK)0 rebels, under Price, Van Dorn, and 
Lovell, 

" 4. Second day of the battle of Corinth, 
which lasted from early in the morning of 
Oct. 3 until evening of the 4th, and ended 
in the tdtal rout of the rebels, they 
]e;\ving 1423 dead on the field, besides 
2()28 prisoners, and 3300 small arms cap- 
tured.— Fort at St. John's Bluff, Fla., cap- 
tured. 

" 5. Battle at Ilatchie, Miss.— Jacksonville, 
Fla.. captured.— Galveston, Texas, sur- 
rendered. 

" 7. Battle at Lavergne, Tenn,— Lexington, 
Ky.. evacuated by the rebels,- Skirmish 
on the Rappahannock, 

" 8. Battle of Perryville, Ky. Union loss. 
23fX( killed and wounded; rebel loss, as re- 
ported bv General Bragg, 2500, 
514 



Oct. 9. General Bragg continued his retreat 
from Perryville. — Galveston. Texas, occu 
pied by Commodore Renshaw, 
" 10. General Stuart, with 1800 rebel cavalry 
and 2 field-pieces, having crossed the Po- 
tomac on the 9th, captured Chambersburg, 
Penna., and seized a large amount of army 
clothing and burned the railroad-depot. 
Thev retreated on the 11th. 

" 11. Fight at Danville, Ky, 500 rebels cap- 
tured. 

" 12, Stuart's cavalry recrossed the Potomac 
near Monocacy Creek, having made a 
complete circuit of the army in Mary- 
land. 

" 14. Lexington, Ky., occupied by Union 
troops. — General Bragg retreated from 
Camp Dick Robinson. 

" 15. Expedition up Appalachicola River, 
Fla.— Union troops advanced to Paris, Ky. 

" 16. Fight near Charlestow n, Va. 

" 17. Rebel raid into Shawneetown, Kansas. 

" 18. Ten rebels shot at Palmyra, Mo., by 
order of General McNeil, of the Missouri 
State Militia. 

" 19, Skirmish at Catlett's Station, Va. 

" 20. Thoroughfare Gap occupied by General 
Schurz.— General MeClellan's advance 
crossed the Potomac at Berlin. 

" 21. Skirmish at Lovettsville, Va.— Expe- 
dition sent out to destroy the Charleston 
& Savannah Railroad, 

" 22. Rebels evacuated Martinsburg, Va. — 
Battle at Pea Ridge, Ark. 

" 23, Fight at Waverly, Tenn,, and defeat 
of the rebels. Rebel "loss, 25 killed, and 26 
prisoners. 

" 24. Fight at INIorgantown, Ky.— Donald- 
sonville. La., captured. 

" 25. Skirmish on the Blackwater River, 
Va. 

" 27, Skirmish at Snicker's Gap, Va. 

" 28, Fight at Cross Hollows, Ark, 

*' 30. Napoleon proposed to England and 
Russia a plan for mediation in American 
affairs. — General O. M. Mitchel died at 
Beaufort, S.C. — General Buell removed, 
and General Rosecrans appointed to his 
command, 

" 31, Railroad-train captured by rebels near 
Manassas.— Bombardment of Tampa Bay, 
Fla. 
Nov. 1. Skirmishing at Aldie and Philomont, 
Va. 

" 2. Fight at Snicker's Gap, Va. 

" 3, General Sickles occupied Warrenton, 
Va. — Skirmish at Thoroughfare Gap, Va. 
— Manassas evacuated, and occupied by 
Union troops. 

'* 4. Hay market, Va,, burned. 

" 5. General Foster occupied Hamilton, N.C. 
— Rebels attacked Nashville, and were re- 
pulsed — The first telegraphic message sent 
from New York to San Francisco, and an- 
swer received the same day. 

*• 7. Rappahannock Station and Warrenton 
occupied by the Union advance. 

" 8.. 300 Minnesota Indians ordered to be 
hung.— General McClellan, at Warrenton, 
received the order removing him and as- 
signing the command to General Burn- 
side. 
" 9. Capt. Dalgrehn's cavalry made a dash 



AMERICAN HISTOEY. 



into Fredericksburg, Va.— St. Mary's, Fla., 
bombarded. 
Nov. 10. Fight at Amosviile, Va.— Skirmish at 
Lebanon, Tenn. 

" 11. West Liberty, Ky., burned by the re- 
bels. 

" 12. Fight near Newbern, N.C. 

" 13. Skirmish at Blackwater, Va. — Holly 
Springs, JNliss., occupied by the Union 
array. 

" 14. Skirmish at Jefferson, Va. 

" 15. The Army of the Potomac commenced 
the advance upon Fredericksburg. — Skir- 
mish at Falmouth. — The Russian Govern- 
ment declined taking part in Napoleon's 
plan for intervention. 

*' 16. General Bayard occupied Falmouth. — 
Severe skirmish near Nashville, Tenn. 

"17. General Burnside's army arrived at 
Falmouth. 

" 18. Skirmish at Chattanooga. — Warrenton 
evacuated. 

" 19. Fight at Blackwater and Suffolk, Va. 

" 20. Rebel provision-train captured near 
Clarksville, Tenn.— Skirmish at Bull Run 
bridge, Va. 

" 21. General Sumner demanded the sur- 
render of Fredericksburg. 

" 22. All political prisoners confined in the 
forts of the United States were released. 

" 27 Rebel attack upon Newbern, N.C. 

" 28. Battle at Cave Mill, Ark. 

" 29. Fight at Snicker's Ferry, Va. 
Dec. 1. Grenada, Miss., occupied by Union 
forces under General llovey. 

" 2. Abbeville, Miss., evacuated by the re- 
bels. 

" 4. Winchester, Va., surrendered, and occu- 
pied by General Geary. 

" 6. Ilartsville, Tenn., surrendered to the 
guerrilla General Morgan. Union loss, 
60 killed and wounded. — Battle near Fa- 
yettftville Ark. Union loss, 600 killed and 
wounded. Rebel loss, 900.— Pirate Alabama 
captured the California steamer Ariel. 

" 9. Concordia, Miss., bombarded by the 
Union gunboats. 

** 10. Engagement ai Port Royal, on the 
Rappahannock. 

*' 11. Fight at Blackwater, Va.— General 
Burnside commenced laying his pontoon 
bridges across the Rappahannock. The 
rebels resisting, he shelled the city from 
146 pieces of artillery, and, under cover 
of their fire, the troops succeeded in cross- 
ing, and occupied Fredericksburg, the 
enemy retiring to his fortifications on the 
heights west of the city.— Gunbo^-t' Cairo 



.ill 



sunk, by the explosion of a torpedo, in the 
Yazoo River. 
Dec. 13. Battle at Tuscumbia, Ala.— Battle of 
Fredericksburg, and repulse of the Union 
army. Generals Taylor, Bayard, and 
Jackson killed. Union loss, killed, 1152, 
wounded, 7000, prisoners, 700. Rebel loss, 
reported by Gen. Lee at 1800. 

" 14. Artillery fighting at Fredericksburg. 
—Battle of Kingston, N.C. 

" 15. General Banks's expedition arrived at 
New Orleans. General Banks superseded 
General Butler in command.— Rebel raid 
into Poolesville, Md. 

" 16. Battle of Whitehall, N.C— The Army 
of the Potomac recrossed the Rappahan- 
nock, and occupied the same position a» 
before the crossing. 

" 17. Baton Rouge, La.,reoccupied by Uni- 
ted States troops. — Battle at Goldsborough, 
N.C, and destruction of the railroad 
bridge and track by General Foster. 

" 18. Skirmish at Lexington, Tenn. 

" 19. Holly Springs, Miss., surrendered to 
the rebels. 1800 men and 150 officers were 
paroled. Clothing, arms, ammunition, 
medical stores, and cotton, valued at more 
than $2,000,000. were destroyed. 

" 20. Fight near Grand Junction. Miss. 

" 22. In consequence of a Congressional de- 
mand on the President for a chang^e in his 
Cabinet, Secretaries Sewai-d and Chase 
tendered their resignations, which were 
not accepted, but finally withdrawn. 

" 23. Jefferson Davis issued a proclamation 
announcing that General Butler and any 
of his officers captured should be hung 
and ordering the exchange of Union offi- 
cers to cease.— 4000 rebels attacked a part 
of General Sigel's command at Dumfries, 
Va. 

" 26. Thirty-eight of the 300 condemned 
Minnesota Indians hung, and the remain- 
der pardoned. — General Rosecrans moved 
from Nashville towards Murfreesborough. 
— Attack upon Vicksburg, Miss., by Gene- 
ral Sherman. 

" 27, Van Buren, Ark., captured by Gene- 
rals IIerr<on..and Blunt. 2 steamboats and 
120 prisoners captured. 

" 28. New Madrid, Miss., evacuated.— The 
Louisiana State-House, at Baton Rouge, 
burned. 

** 29. Battle of Murfreesborough, Tenn. 
Union loss, 1500 killed, 6000 wounded, and 
4000 prisoners. 
. *' 31. The iron-clad steamer Monitor foun- 
dered at seasnear Cape Henry. Sixteea 
of the officeriJ-and crew were lost. 



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